Instant Insight

30-Second Take

• Journalists Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater expose the deep-seated dysfunction in the U.S. Congress in their new book, “Mad House.”
• The MAGA-controlled 118th House passed only 27 bills that became law, the lowest number since the Great Depression.
• The book reveals petty feuds, physical threats, and extreme partisanship within Congress.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

“Mad House” by Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater offers a detailed look into the chaotic state of the U.S. Congress, particularly the 118th House. The authors, both congressional correspondents for The New York Times, highlight the unprecedented level of dysfunction, marked by minimal legislative productivity and rampant partisanship.

Core Players

• Annie Karni – Congressional correspondent for The New York Times, previously covered President Trump and Biden administrations.
• Luke Broadwater – Congressional correspondent for The New York Times, key role in covering the Jan. 6th attack on the Capitol.
• MAGA Republicans – Dominant force in the 118th House, led by figures like Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Jim Jordan.
• House Democrats – Struggling with internal conflicts and losing faith in their leadership.

Key Numbers

• 27 – Number of bills passed by the 118th House that became law, the lowest since the Great Depression.
• 118th – Congress session marked by extreme partisanship and minimal legislative achievements.
• 2024 – Year in which voters rewarded MAGA Republicans with control of the White House, Senate, and House.
• January 6th – Date of the attack on the Capitol Building, a pivotal event in the book’s narrative.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The January 6th attack on the Capitol Building marked a turning point in the dysfunction of the U.S. Congress. This event, along with the election of controversial figures like George Santos and the antics of Lauren Boebert, set the stage for the chaos described in “Mad House.”

The authors delve into closed-door meetings and internal conflicts that have paralyzed legislative progress.

Inside Forces

House Republicans, driven by a cult of personality and extreme partisanship, have struggled to govern effectively. This has led to a significant decline in legislative productivity and an increase in internal conflicts.

Meanwhile, House Democrats are losing faith in their leadership, further exacerbating the gridlock.

Power Dynamics

The MAGA faction within the Republican Party holds significant power and influence, with figures like Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Jim Jordan playing key roles. Their actions have contributed to the extreme partisanship and dysfunction within Congress.

The 2024 elections, which gave MAGA Republicans control of all three branches of government, have further solidified their power.

Outside Impact

The broader implications of this dysfunction are far-reaching. The minimal legislative output has significant consequences for the country, including delayed or absent policy reforms and a lack of addressing critical national issues.

The public’s perception of Congress has also been severely impacted, with many viewing the institution as ineffective and divided.

Future Forces

Looking ahead, the future of U.S. governance appears uncertain. The continued dominance of MAGA Republicans and the deep-seated partisanship within Congress suggest that the current state of dysfunction may persist.

Key areas to watch include potential changes in leadership, shifts in public opinion, and the impact of future elections on the balance of power in Congress.

Data Points

• 2018 – Year Annie Karni joined The New York Times as a congressional correspondent.
• 2020 – Year Luke Broadwater’s investigative work at the Baltimore Sun won the Pulitzer Prize for local reporting.
• 2024 – Year MAGA Republicans gained control of the White House, Senate, and House.
• January 6th, 2021 – Date of the attack on the Capitol Building.