A New Political Reality: Navigating the 119th Congress

From economic policy to workforce stability, American businesses, investors, and the broader economy rely upon a functioning Congress — but today’s partisanship is making that harder than ever.

Over decades, Congress’s productivity has declined, with the 118th Congress passing fewer laws than any since the Civil War. Although public approval of Congress’ jumped to 29% in Gallup’s most recent survey, for decades the number has hovered at historic lows. Meanwhile, Congress has ceded so much power to the executive branch, that it raises questions about the capacity of the body to govern and the constitutional balance of powers.

In our webinar Navigating the 119th Congress: What Business Leaders Need to Know, we explored opportunities for collaboration and obstacles to progress, including key observations on Congress’s current state.

Congressional Dynamics & Political Calculus

Congress faces a complex political landscape shaped by sharp internal divisions and executive oversight concerns. A potential government shutdown and a historically slim House majority add to the uncertainty. Factional politics create openings for bipartisan coalitions on issues like spending, infrastructure, and antitrust, but the 60-vote filibuster in the Senate remains an obstacle to legislative progress. Meanwhile, Trump’s strong public approval continues to energize his base, reinforcing his administration’s influence.

As the executive branch continues to push dramatic changes, will Congress reassert its authority as a coequal branch of government? Philip Wallach, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute predicts, “I think the fights over the power of the purse are most likely to come to a head and force Congress to make up its mind. Are they going to permanently belittle themselves in some way by basically giving the president permission to ignore the appropriations laws they pass?”

Legislative Authority

Members of Congress often prioritize short-term political incentives, delegating authority to the executive branch to avoid blame. However, once power is ceded, reclaiming it becomes a challenge. Structural issues further strain congressional capacity, with outdated technology, limited staff, and fewer opportunities for bipartisan relationship-building.

Wallach continued, “Congress must decide whether the lawmakers themselves see their institution as central to deciding big questions or whether enough of them are basically resigned to cheerleading or bellyaching about what goes on in the executive branch.”

“Are they going to insist on Congress being the institution to make the decisions? You know, it’s not clear. I think we’ve seen members of both parties in the past couple decades putting partisan teamsmanship above any kind of institutional patriotism. They care less about Congress’s prerogatives than whether their team is getting ahead. And, certainly, I think Republican lawmakers right now are very sincere in believing that a lot of what the Trump White House is doing is justified by turnabout is fair play,” he said.

Congressional Restraints & Resource Limitations

Congress faces significant challenges and resource limitations that hinder its effectiveness. Chronic understaffing and reliance on think tanks and lobbyists for research further limit its independence, while structural constraints, including significantly smaller staffing and funding compared to the executive branch, weaken its ability to respond effectively. Despite the need for more resources, increasing congressional funding remains politically difficult for lawmakers, making meaningful reform a challenge.

As Taylor J. Swift, director of congressional engagement at Rebuild Congress Initiative summed it up, “The optics to actually boost legislative branch capacity are very, very difficult. We’ve been seeing that for the past thirty years. That is the foundation of why people are exhausted in the current moment, and it’s something that has been going on for a long time.”

Swift also noted how congressional dysfunction has empowered the Trump administration’s bold approach: “The administration feels that they have this mandate because Congress is too slow, has low approval ratings, lacks bipartisanship, and can’t get anything done. And since this is the second time he’s won and this time with the popular vote, the administration is doing this because the government is broken and they have to fix it.”

Business Community & Political Engagement

Business leaders are increasingly concerned about regulatory and policy uncertainty, particularly regarding taxation, immigration policies, and economic stability. However, business leaders may hesitate to speak out due to the political risks involved. To navigate this landscape effectively, businesses should focus on engaging with policymakers who have demonstrated a willingness to work across the aisle, fostering relationships that can help shape meaningful policy changes. Despite the current political volatility, there are still opportunities for bipartisan cooperation, particularly in areas like tax reform and the modernization of federal agencies.

Nan Swift, resident fellow of the Governance Program at R Street Institute warned, “There’s a great deal of uncertainty, not only as a result of the budget process, but by many of the other actions being taken right now by the new administration from tariffs to DOGE and everything in between. There are so many factors that go into how we feel about our economy and how we can plan, and a lot of those are up in the air.”

Swift continued, “Everyone will adjust based on decisions that are made, but when it’s not clear by whose authority you can do what, then everyone is just kind of stuck, and that’s where businesses are.”

Conclusion

Given these challenges, how can the business community help bridge divides, foster bipartisan cooperation, and drive effective policymaking? By actively building relationships with lawmakers and clearly articulating how policy decisions impact their industries and communities, companies can enhance their influence and encourage more balanced decision-making.

When businesses engage constructively, lawmakers may feel more empowered to represent the broader interests of their constituents — including the business sector — ultimately helping to restore the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches.

To learn more about Business for America and get involved, please visit bfa.us.

Watch the webinar video on YouTube or below.