Congress stops its starvation diet
Despite its constitutional position, the money Congress spends on its operations compared to the Executive Branch agencies is minuscule, making up just one-tenth of one percent of all federal discretionary spending. Most of that spending goes toward maintaining congressional buildings and providing security for the thousands who work in and visit the Capitol complex every year.
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Weak capacity also limits Congress’ ability to conduct oversight. Congressional committees hold nearly half the hearings today that they did in 1995. Members and staff are more likely to rely on the external capacity of former staff now working elsewhere to draft legislative language, which can further erode public trust in our government generally and in Congress in particular.
