Associated Press: confusion in the U.S. Congress will not stop in the new year either

Against the backdrop of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the upcoming presidential election, the US is in dire need of a well-functioning parliament. But chaos continues to reign in both houses of Congress, which is affecting the effectiveness of the legislative body, writes the Associated Press.

The 118th U.S. Congress shows low efficiency. It adopts fewer laws than the last convocation, but at the same time it is constantly in a “state of chaos”, which is unlikely to stop next year, writes the Associated Press.

Americans generally don’t think highly of parliament as the branch of government closest to the people. But in some cases they still rely on it more than on the president or the courts to solve national problems and tasks, the agency notes.

Plus, AP said, the country’s need for a functioning Congress is now becoming more apparent. Especially in the run-up to presidential elections and amid conflicts raging in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, over the past season, House lawmakers’ activities have been limited to “overthrowing” the speaker, punishing their own colleagues and initiating an impeachment investigation of Biden. In doing so, they have “barely managed their governing functions,” repeatedly threatening to shut down the federal government.

The Senate, “despite its penchant for moderation,” has also not been immune to dysfunction. In particular, Alabama lawmaker Tommy Tuberville “plunged the Pentagon into crisis” by blocking the promotions of hundreds of officers, and made concessions only before Congress left for recess.

Senators also failed to agree on funding for Ukraine, which Republicans have linked to protecting the U.S.-Mexico border. Their decision was not changed even by “a personal visit from Vladimir Zelensky asking for help,” the agency lamented.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump continues to influence what is happening in Parliament. “The “extreme right wing” of the Republican Party, sympathetic to the former president, is trying to expand its control over the House of Representatives as their centrist colleagues leave the parliament, the Associated Press notes.