OPINION: Changes in Congress make governing less appealing

Do you want to run for Congress? That’s good to hear. There are few jobs that are more important. The work can be very rewarding. The institution badly needs more energetic, smart, and civic-minded members. I served in Congress for 34 years, and the thought never entered my head to quit. I enjoyed the job and the people, the dedicated professionals who make Capitol Hill work. I valued working with the marvelous individuals engaged in the enterprise of governing. But I worry that the current atmosphere is discouraging good people from running. There are many factors making the job less appealing: Fierce clashes over votes. The expectation of intense partisanship. Overwhelming demands on your time. Constant conflict with the president. The loss of comity and bipartisanship. I’m concerned that the most-talented people in America no longer see public service as their calling. Or, if they do, they run for local and state offices where they can get things done. Being one of 535 members of the House and Senate can seem like an exercise in frustration. Congress, naturally, reflects society. Americans, divided by partisan news sources and social media, no longer trust each other the way we once did. A Pew Research Center analysis found that Democrats and Republicans are further apart, ideologically, than in the previous half century. Moderates have quit or lost in primary elections. There are only about two dozen moderates in Congress, compared to more than 160 in 1971-72. Narrow majorities have become common, and members face intense pressure on their votes. President Donald Trump’s recent tax-and-spending bill was an example: Almost no Republicans voted against it, even though many expressed reservations, and Democrats were united in their opposition. Serving in Congress has always been demanding. The hours are long, with committee hearings running for hours and crucial votes often taking place late at night. Travel is constant, not only for congressional duties but to spend time in members’ districts. Members face pressing expectations from constituents and interest groups. All this is tough on families. Today, the pressure to raise funds for election campaigns is unrelenting. The practice of “dialing for dollars” turns members and candidates into glorified telemarketers. Unless you’re personally wealthy, there’s no choice but to spend a lot of time asking for money. Conflicts with the president are another growing problem. America’s founders saw Congress as the first branch of government, the one closest to the people, but the executive branch increasingly calls the shots. Congress members who don’t fall in line can expect brutal pressure from the president and his supporters. Trump didn’t start this, but he has taken it to a new level. In my view, the decline in positive relationships may be the most serious problem. When I served, working partnerships between Democrats and Republicans were common. On the House floor, you would often see a Democrat crossing to the Republican section to talk with a colleague, and vice versa. That doesn’t happen as much anymore. It’s as if the aisle between the parties is a wall. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not suggesting Congress is a lost cause. You can still accomplish a lot, from serving constituents to working on issues with like-minded members. There are many ideas for reforming Congress that are worth pursuing, and some may make progress. But there is no question this will be difficult. We have taken the wrong road in our politics for too long, and our democracy is under a lot of stress. Are you still thinking about running for Congress? The challenge is immense, but the work is essential. Only if we keep trying will we return Congress to its rightful role, responsive to the people and capable of governing effectively.        

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Lee Hamilton, 94, is a senior advisor for the Indiana University (IU) Center on Representative Government, distinguished scholar at the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, and professor of practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Hamilton, a Democrat, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years (1965-1999), representing a district in south-central Indiana.