3 ways to improve Congress – Part II: Location, location, location
The situation
Senators and representatives typically travel back to their home states every weekend. This means flying out Thursday afternoon and coming back late Monday, leaving roughly three days in the middle to accomplish massive constitutional responsibilities, i.e. writing our nation’s laws and keeping the Executive Branch in check.
The reasoning is not entirely wrong – (1) to gather input from voters, which increases participation in the democratic process and (2) to better understand how the country is impacted by policies made in Washington.
But I would argue this rationale is misguided at best and insincere at worst. Constituents typically love the idea though, because it presumes their elected officials aren’t becoming part of “the swamp.”
Living in DC was standard in the Washington of old but has shifted as politicians prioritize the appearance of being an “everyman” who embody their state’s version of the party’s political persona. This song and dance requires keeping congressional colleagues in Washington at arms length, lest they become victim to a tweet or cable TV soundbite for not being sufficiently entrenched against their political opponents.
The Problem
Intentions aside, this trend prevents Members of Congress from building real relationships with their colleagues, particularly those across the aisle.
The literal distance between politicians creates relational distance among them. This divide prevents simple dialogue that could otherwise diffuse quarrels and, most importantly, build the trust necessary to facilitate compromise. Without trusting that our political opponents share the same ultimate goals to better our country, how can we accomplish anything but through brute force? (More on the importance of trust here.)
When we become neighbors with our political enemies and allies alike, only then can we re-humanize public discourse. As it stands, politicians quite literally hide from the conflict needed to build trust and instead choose safe, distant environments that embolden them to say things they wouldn’t otherwise when face-to-face with an opponent over dinner.
For anyone who complains about gridlock but insists their elected officials return home every weekend, remember that the distance between politicians can exacerbate the political divide by giving them permission to resist compromise.
The Solution
To rectify this, full work weeks and weekends in Washington should be the norm. Members should live in community with fellow politicians during congressional sessions and go home only during recesses (federal holidays and August).