Did You Hear About Washington D.C.? It’s a Hot Mess!

Oh sweetie, pull up a chair and let Grandma spill the tea, because the goings-on in Washington D.C. are just scandalous! Barbara Sprunt over at NPR, bless her heart, uncovered quite the pickle.

It seems our beloved Congress, the very heart of our government, is apparently “in a coma.” Can you believe it? Former Representative Jim Cooper, who’s seen it all, said it himself. He said it has a pulse, but not many brainwaves! Well, I never!

They’re wrapping up the year, and instead of passing laws like they used to, they’re just… well, not doing much. They had the longest government shutdown and are getting a reputation as the least productive bunch in modern history. Back in my day, if you didn’t finish your chores, you didn't get dessert!

Grandma's Shaking Her Head at the Goings-On

Now, here’s where it gets juicy. A record number of these lawmakers are simply throwing in the towel and running for the Capitol exits! It’s like a fire drill, but for their careers!

They’re either pursuing other offices or just retiring from that political hullabaloo altogether. And while some might blame President Trump's second term, these folks are saying it’s been brewing for ages, like a pot of forgotten stew.

Barbara Comstock, a Republican from Virginia, said they’ve done studies, and the reasons are just heartbreaking: it’s not functional, there are death threats, and they aren't getting anything done! Imagine receiving threats just for showing up to work!

She even remembered how in the nineties, even with all that fuss about the Clinton impeachment, they still managed to get things done. Oh, how times have changed!

What's Really Happening Behind Those Big Doors?

It sounds like the main problem, bless their hearts, is that all the power has gone straight to the top, to the party leaders, instead of letting the regular folks in committees do their jobs.

Former Rep. Dan Lipinski, an Illinois Democrat, said a committee gavel doesn’t mean a lick anymore! The Speaker’s office just tells them what to put in a bill and what to leave out. If committees aren’t working, then what’s the point? It’s like the head cook telling everyone else they can’t stir the pot!

Then there’s the schedule! They only work about 3.5 days a week! One member even travels more days than he’s actually in Washington. That’s hardly enough time to build a community, much less compromise!

Former Rep. Jim McDermott, a good Democrat from Washington, said it changed everything. They don't have barbecues or get-togethers anymore. How can you trust someone if you don’t even know what their kids are like?

And the families! Oh, the poor families! Fred Upton, a Michigan Republican, mentioned how spouses and kids are the biggest sacrifice, missing birthdays and school events. And the pay! They haven’t had a raise since 2009! That’s just not right!

Grandma Just Can't Even With All This Modern Foolishness!

Honestly, the whole thing makes my blood pressure rise! They're not getting paid fairly, they’re not getting along, and they’re getting threats! Can you imagine?

The Capitol Police are dealing with around 14,000 threat assessment cases this year! Heavens to Betsy! It used to be rare, but now it’s routine, according to former Rep. Dan Kildee.

And the executive branch, bless its heart, is just taking over! Our President, Donald J. Trump, is apparently raising taxes with tariffs and defunding agencies without a peep from Congress. It’s like they’ve just given up their purse strings!

Former Rep. Jim Cooper summed it up:

It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Some folks are even telling people to run for state offices instead because those still function! But some, like McHenry and Cooper, say we still need good people to run for Congress. It's for the children and grandchildren, after all!