Analyzing The Roots Of Congressional Gridlock - 1487 Words

Analyzing the Roots of Congressional Gridlock Gridlock refers to a point in which there is no progress in the debates, motions or bills being passed in parliament simply because the members of congress cannot agree to a decision (Binder, 2003, p.4). The congress has two houses that are usually in conflict with each other. They are the Senate and the House of Representatives. Within the congress, there are also parties that are influential in the passing of motions and bills. Parliamentary parties refer to the differences among the members of congress as defined by the political party with which they are affiliated. Gridlock in congress is contributed by two issues; the fact that there are two different parties competing to outshine each†¦show more content†¦People who elect Senators into congress feel that they need a leader who will advocate for their needs, and one who will fight for their economic, academic and political empowerment. As such, they believe that they have the power to decide whoever goes into the Senat e, as long as genuine elections are held. Senators also share this view and have the belief that their voters were the deciders of whether or not they would have a chance to sit in congress. They know that they have a duty to represent and work for their people. Besides, these are the people they went to and requested for votes so that they could represent them in the Senate. Therefore, they should be afraid of the voters as they have the power to decide who to elect into the Senate every time there is an election related to this post. Through this understanding, Davidson et al (2012, p.91) settle on the idea that the decisions of the senate are highly influenced by reelection prospects. Every senator wants to enjoy more than one term in the Senate. Therefore, they will do as much as they can to ensure that they please their voters. They debate as the people in their states want them to. They support motions and bills that favor their people so that they can get a following and their popularity can be on the high. This inclination towards pleasing voters leads to a division in congress. The congressmen who wish to be reelected by their people will support arguments that benefit these people. They simply