It's not dysfunction. They literally refuse to do their job under Article I. They chose to be in a personality cult over living up to their oaths.
So tiny violin...
2123
BittererrMar 28, 2026
+253
Article I outlines the powers and responsibilities of Congress, but it's almost all powers and very few responsibilities.
Their responsibilities are to meet at least once a year, select a speaker, and record their meetings. That's it. Everything else is a power they have but not something they are required to do.
Congress is doing nothing because the voters who put them there want them to do nothing, that's entirely in keeping with the letter of the Constitution.
253
MommyLovesPot8toesMar 28, 2026
+85
The responsibilities of Congress are inherent in the Preamble of the Constitution. It's the responsibility of all 3 co-equal branches to pursue and protect the goals of the country:
+ Keep the country together
+ Establish and maintain Justice
+ Keep the peace within the country
+ Provide defence
+ Promote the general welfare of the People
+ Protect liberty
Congress, like the Exec and SCOTUS, has a duty to act when the rights of the People are trampled by ICE agents, when the country is not at peace with itself because of propaganda, and when crimes like violations of the emoluments clause go unpunished. Article I lays out *how* they can/can't do their job, not what the job *is*. Article I is an instruction manual. The Preamble is the mission statement.
85
NeverLookBothWaysMar 28, 2026
+8
But welfare is socialism! /s
It’s insane how derailed Republicans are
8
DumboWumbo073Mar 28, 2026
-23
Sounds like a whole bunch of mumbo jumbo. None of what you’re saying is happening
-23
Sects-And-ViolenceMar 28, 2026
+12
Donald Trump raped children.
12
MommyLovesPot8toesMar 29, 2026
+6
Thats... that's literally my point. I'm saying that Congress has a responsibility to act and they are failing to do so. The person I was responding to said they did not have a responsibility to act.
6
Julian_ThorneMar 28, 2026
+121
There's the "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic" responsibility.
121
arestheblueMar 28, 2026
+7
Its like if you lie in court. You swore not to, but what you get punished under is the crime of perjury. There is no associated crime with government officials not following through on their oaths of office.
7
BittererrMar 28, 2026
+21
The wording for the oath of office isn't in the Constitution for Congress, and it's certainly not in Article I.
21
RadioNameMar 28, 2026
+25
And yet, they swore it before witnesses in order to hold office. The GOP and AIPAC Dems are traitors, don't split hairs to defend them.
25
OnlyMamaKnowsMar 28, 2026
+40
Semantics are fun and all but there is very little distinction between powers and responsibilities here. The power to declare war inherently assumes that Congress has the responsibility to determine whether a war should be declared. By allowing the executive to declare war without Congress is an abdication of Congress' responsibility.
40
BittererrMar 28, 2026
-12
>Semantics are fun and all but there is very little distinction between powers and responsibilities here.
???
There's a huge distinction between "Congress shall" and "Congress shall have the power to..."
Congress hasn't allowed the executive to declare war, they've allowed the executive to get us into an undeclared war.
-12
OnlyMamaKnowsMar 28, 2026
+7
No.
7
Kinda_ZeplikeMar 28, 2026
+13
They will learn the will of the people come midterms as they keep adhering to the constitution.
13
f1del1usMar 28, 2026
-17
And they will likely be replaced with more dysfunctional politicians who take their turn at the teat and kick the can of meaningful change down the road, see as recently as… the last democratic presidency…
-17
Kinda_ZeplikeMar 28, 2026
+11
I would disagree.
11
f1del1usMar 28, 2026
-11
I admire your optimism; in the face of all the evidence. Democrats are controlled opposition and have been for over a decade. You think even if they get a super majority they would convict and remove? I would certainly love to see it but I have very little expectations of Congress suddenly becoming functional.
-11
BittererrMar 28, 2026
+11
Every Democrat and seven Republicans voted for removal in 2021.
11
f1del1usMar 28, 2026
-8
And that brings how many times they’ve successfully removed a sitting president? I’m asking about conviction, not impeachment.
-8
BittererrMar 28, 2026
+11
That was the vote for conviction. Every Democrat and seven Republicans. There's no evidence at all Democrats wouldn't convict if they had the numbers.
11
Jesse-359Mar 28, 2026
+5
Only for as long as nihilists like you keep encouraging people to treat the system as irreparable. Fixing something requires you to act to fix it, and nihilism evades responsibility and action in favor of quiescence.
5
f1del1usMar 28, 2026
-3
I’m simply pointing out what the evidence says; I call that the scientific method. Do I hope I’m wrong? Absolutely. Sadly I haven’t been for most of the last decade.
-3
Jesse-359Mar 28, 2026
+7
You are missing the point. Serious political movements are predicated on the idea that you must change the dominant political reality. If you accept that the status quo is unbreakable then you aren't just checking out - you become part of that foundation. One more quiet taxpayer feeding the machine.
MAGA changed the political reality of the US in a way that most of us couldn't seriously consider prior to 2014. If you are not willing to do the same then you don't get how any of this actually works.
7
f1del1usMar 28, 2026
Sorry but some of us VERY clearly saw this coming in 2015. The rise of the concept of ‘fake news’ (not a new concept by any means ofc), and the demise of objective truth has paved the way quite well. Do I want things to be different? Absolutely; I vote and I write my representatives and what have I seen that change? Very little. Money buys influence, not well meaning political philosophy or discourse. Until they get that out (which they won’t obv), it’s never going to matter. I’m sorry reality is such a drag to you.
0
alpha_dkMar 28, 2026
+9
There's much more than that, the very first amendment adds another obligation to the Congress; the affirmative duty to not pass laws that do certain things.
9
BittererrMar 28, 2026
+2
A duty that is pretty easy to uphold if they're not passing anything at all.
2
alpha_dkMar 28, 2026
+3
Depends; if they don't pass anything at all, how did they pass the parliamentary rules to move forward with the session?
Did those rules properly follow their affirmative duties under the 1st amendment if they're being used to fund, among other things, the article 2 and 3 government abusing the things the article 1 goverment is obligated to defend?
All questions I'd rather answer by doing my duty rather than at a trial for treason under the next Congress who may view their duties differently than you view yours.
3
meTspysballMar 28, 2026
+4
It’s a hell of an assumption that the people in Congress are doing what they were elected to do, and I’d say the fact they are fleeing means they know the public is not happy about their performance. So are they meeting the bare-minimum requirements as outlined in the constitution? Sure. Is that what the voters want? Doesn’t look like it.
4
BittererrMar 28, 2026
+2
They are definitely doing what they were elected to do, the pitch was pretty clear in 2024 and this is what people demanded.
I'm sure some people have changed their minds, but Congress consistently has 90%+ election win rates for incumbents so even in a cycle where a lot of people have changed what they want after 2 years most of them are still getting the thumbs up from their constituents.
2
meTspysballMar 28, 2026
+3
Given our flawed system of representation (FPTP), gerrymandering, and that all politics are national now, election of a candidate isn’t even tacit endorsement of their personal record in office.
3
dudeitsmeeeMar 28, 2026
+1
So basically collect “gifts” from everyone while living it up with free taxpayer healthcare.
1
BittererrMar 29, 2026
+1
Congress doesn't get free health care, they buy it off the ACA.
1
checkoutthishatMar 28, 2026
+1
Haven’t you heard about the Ben Parker amendment - with great power _comes_ great responsibilities.
1
whatproblemsMar 28, 2026
+11
they’re the cause of the dysfunction
11
zubbs99Mar 28, 2026
+1
Seriously what did they think would happen. What a bunch of morons. All we've done is take one giant step backwards with them.
1
37853688544788Mar 28, 2026
+8
Traitors. All of them.
8
burritocmdrMar 28, 2026
+5
This is how Trump will exercise more authority via executive orders, using congressional inaction as an excuse. The GOP is willingly abdicating power to Trump so they can stay in power.
5
Senior-budMar 28, 2026
+2
There comes a point when you either throw your hat into the crazy ring or you flee in disgust.
2
defectconstraintMar 28, 2026
+2
> So tiny violin...
they don't care, they'll land into cushy jobs as lobbyists or talking heads or something...
2
personalKindlingMar 28, 2026
+1
But this is what their constituents want. So, as a politician, what do you do? Ruin your career by reading the writing on the wall and going against the people you represent? Or do you duck and run, so you can wash your hands of the situation and not deal with the violent base you helped create?
No one wants to end up like the Hortman's.
1
1stMammaltowearpantsMar 29, 2026
+1
So they're just, like, going to their vacation homes with their healthcare and shit?
1
No-Group-4504Mar 28, 2026
+395
Yeah! Their work here is done!!!
DO YOU GET IT MAGA??? IT'S A LOT EASIER TO CRITICIZE THAN TO ACTUALLY GOVERN AND GET SHIT DONE!!!
395
choregMar 28, 2026
+98
No, they won't get it until they personally experience a catastrophe. I continually hear "but Biden", "but Obama", like conditioned dogs who cannot answer a question of accountability. Lately, there was resounding support for Markwayne Mullin for Sec of DHS. Many say they'd rather have a plumber than the usual politicians and lawyers. 260,000 employees and a billion dollar budget. So there's an intelligence factor that can't be ignored.
It appears to me that most supporters only read headlines, never look deep, and ignore facts that don't meet their narrative. It's easy, lazy, and they can go on with their lives without worry, believing that everything is great and they are part of it.
98
Acrobatic-Trouble181Mar 28, 2026
+15
But, I see articles exist in support of democrats/liberal policies that exploit ragebait for the sake of profit (conveniently ignoring the fact that it doesn't penetrate as deeply into our psyche as it does for the republicans/conservatives).
Also, I saw some random nobody on twitter said something horrible that Trump said about the rest of us first (conveniently ignoring the fact that democrat leadership never stoops as low as republican leadership does on the reg).
Also, I like to believe that democrats/liberals are fiscally irresponsible because republicans/conservatives said so, and then I see republicans/conservatives also act fiscally irresponsible (conveniently ignoring the fact that every metric, and economic policy in last 50 years puts Democrats and liberals lightyears ahead of Republicans and conservatives in fiscal responsibility).
Therefore both sides are exactly the same, everyone else is stupid, making me smarter than everyone else by default, and allowing me to sleep at night with my vast, unfiltered stupidity.
15
DrThunderboltMar 28, 2026
-3
But some listnookor will take this to mean you shouldn't vote and disavow people who try to say the truth that both sides truly do suck, because its easier to strawman that it's the people that didn't vote's fault, and not the party for putting up a candidate that people actually want to vote for.
Some people will point and laugh at how brainwashed republicans are, and then regurgitate their side's propaganda like the hypocrites they are.
The only thing that is correct is that there are two sides. Us and them.
-3
Acrobatic-Trouble181Mar 28, 2026
+4
If you can look back at the Clinton, Obama and Biden years, and stack them besides the Bush Sr, Bush Jr, and Trump years, and come to the conclusion that they're both equally bad, then I just have absolutely no faith whatsoever that you're even the slightest bit capable of figuring out the truth of anything.
The Democrats have their problems, but come the absolute f*** on.
4
soitgoes7891Mar 29, 2026
+1
Why is it never the fault of the people literally doing this? It's trump's fault for being a horrific person and leader. Non voters and Kamala didn't make him an awful person.
1
MexcolMar 28, 2026
+2
Yeah I just want gas to go up and up till there's no doubt Djt caused it, so they stop saying It was higher during Biden, they won't accept it but one can dream
2
Mr0lsenMar 28, 2026
+3
Who are you talking to? The republicans reps have won, they have personally enriched themselves and their friends and will likely never see consequences for their massive scams, and their base thinks you’re a gay socialist terrorist or something and have proven for over a decade that they will not listen.
They got the “shit done” that they set out to do, it just didn’t include helping anyone but themselves.
3
User4C4C4CMar 28, 2026
+120
Smash and grab complete. And now the mess has to be cleaned up by someone else who will be blamed for creating it. The harmful cycle continues.
120
DocQuantaMar 28, 2026
+21
That isn't why so many are leaving. They know that they are about to lose the majority and have no interest in being in the minority. It is an admission that they fully expect the Dems to win big in the midterms.
21
Gullible_Ad3785Mar 28, 2026
+9
Also they don't want the stink of the L for when the pendulum shifts.
9
Mr0lsenMar 28, 2026
+5
This is exactly what I saw people say after bush, and after trump 1. The only L is thinking the pendulum shift will actually punish any of these people in a meaningful way.
Id bet on seeing solar roadways, Elon on mars, and half life 3 before consequences for any of these people.
5
Gullible_Ad3785Mar 28, 2026
+2
Lol, the L is the consequence, which they are avoiding by not running again.
2
Mr0lsenMar 28, 2026
+3
And IF we get a chance to vote our way out of this, the cycle will 100% repeat in 1 or 2 terms.
The system cannot gradually improve, any long term gains will come from tearing down and starting new.
3
kia75Mar 28, 2026
+91
The last time Republicans fled is such numbers was Trump's first presidency!
91
Raise_A_ThothMar 28, 2026
+24
It's more than then, though. By a couple seats.
24
temporarycreatureMar 28, 2026
+165
When a party's majority is essentially one order of magnitude smaller than the number of people currently fleeing for the exits, the math stops mathing and this reporting becomes a massive understatement on a full-scale structural collapse of the GOP.
This isn't just a narrow margin or a *thin razor* situation anymore.
It is a house with a foundation that has been entirely hollowed out.
165
007meowMar 28, 2026
+100
Collapsing doesn’t matter if the Dems can’t take a Fetterman-proof majority in the Senate.
With everything being so polarized, having a 3 seat or 30 seat majority make little difference.
Especially when this Admin has shown they’re willing to push and break norms ahead of the legal system that either can’t keep up or continues to pile beyond a unitary executive strategy.
100
temporarycreatureMar 28, 2026
+23
Yeah, I hear you, and I agree, however, we still have three years left with the orange baboon, so I'm happy with just the Dems taking the House for what's remaining of his second term, turning him into a lame duck.
23
007meowMar 28, 2026
+9
But what can those lame ducks do when the Executive branch just usurps all of their authority and blows right past it?
9
temporarycreatureMar 28, 2026
+29
This is only happening because the GOP-led Congress is abdicating their responsibilities in regards to controlling the purse and letting him do it.
If they take even a slim majority in the house, they retake the purse.
29
WillowSmithsBFFMar 29, 2026
+1
>If they take even a slim majority in the house, they retake the purse.
I appreciate the optimism here. But can you elaborate on how that would happen practically?
The House and Senate kinda have to agree on things to make anything happen. So obviously they’ll be able to reduce anything passing on the legislation side.
But if the Dems take back *just* the House, how are they alone going to curtail anything going on in the executive?
1
temporarycreatureMar 29, 2026
+1
The *power of the purse,* literally means no federal money is spent without its approval and they can do this by adding *policy riders* to must-pass funding bills, a House majority can explicitly forbid the executive branch from using any dollars for specific programs.
This forces the administration to either abandon those projects or risk a full government shutdown to get the cash they want.
Given what's happening with DHS and TSA, and everything else about the shutdown, the Trump administration is susceptible to this.
A House majority also has the unilateral power of oversight which literally means they sit on top of all the committees and can issue subpoenas to force officials to testify or hand over internal documents without needing Senate approval.
This allows the House to bog down an administration with constant investigations and public hearings, which can expose enough information to trigger legal challenges or create massive political pressure.
Finally, the House acts as a legislative gatekeeper.
No new laws can pass if the House majority refuses to bring them to a vote.
While this doesn't automatically undo existing executive orders, it prevents the administration from turning temporary actions into permanent laws.
It effectively traps the executive within its current authorities and stops any expansion of its agenda.
All of this is contingent on the Democrats actually doing their jobs.
1
Monolingual-----BetaMar 28, 2026
+1
Then the arrests will start. Lol jk
/s
...
1
SunshineCatMar 28, 2026
+1
Et ainsi commence la Révolution, non? ... Non?
1
Monolingual-----BetaMar 28, 2026
+1
I don't think I can call for a revolution on Listnook even if I wanted to. Which I certainly would never do or even hint at.
I don't want to get banned! Jk /s
...
1
Van-gardeMar 28, 2026
+3
Shouldn’t have been a facade for pedophiles. Really put a ceiling on growth when one of your primary directives is: protect violent, sexual, child predators.
3
jgandfeedMar 28, 2026
+2
The truth is that many of them will be replaced by extremists. The good news is the loss of institutional knowledge and establishment
2
jayeffkayMar 28, 2026
+3
Oh don’t worry they will burn down democracy to stay in power. I guarantee ICE will be at voting locations in November and the courts will green light other types of disenfranchisement. This country is toast.
3
Pubs01Mar 28, 2026
+22
stop. there's are over a 100 million people in this country who ate tired of this doomer shit
22
dorianvovinMar 29, 2026
+1
Is it really “doomerist” to assume the GOP is going to keep doing the things outlined in Project 2025 when it’s already over halfway complete? Why assume they’re suddenly going to stop now? Hell, Trump suggested several times on camera that the last election (his win) was rigged, so it’s not unreasonable to expect further trickery. Thankfully, seats have already been flipping, so I fully expect a blue wave and pray we see accountability for the blatant corruption.
1
KokonutMonkeyMar 28, 2026
+43
>“I believe in making room for the next generation. It’s time to pass the torch and allow a new guard of conservative leaders to step forward and chart a path forward for Missourians,” he said, adding that **public service “isn’t easy**
He went on to say, "and that's why I decided to become a congressman. I don't need to do shit."
43
Interesting-Prize-79Mar 29, 2026
+3
Gotta make room for the next generation of nazis ig
3
NotOK1955Mar 28, 2026
+42
Rats fleeing a sinking ship, in which THEY helped create this disastrous administration.
They all should be held accountable.
Shame on them…and shame on the voters who were too deaf, dumb and blind when they cast their ballots.
42
MomsBoredMar 28, 2026
+27
It’s called cashing out and hoping they don’t get prosecuted for his crimes. No grace no redemption for Trumps GOP-party. They’re done.
27
Mr0lsenMar 28, 2026
+5
No prosecution is coming, they are more likely fleeing the inevitable collapse and turmoil than worried about any real consequences from our clearly dysfunctional legal system.
5
ArrowheadDZMar 28, 2026
+17
It’s funny how mid-term blow-outs become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Congress is a horrible place to be if your party is in the minority. You spend 2 years traveling back and forth away from home and sit in endless committee hearings, but have no meaningful vote or influence on anything. You essentially STFU and do as you’re told.
So if polling tells you that your party will likely lose the majority by a few seats, a lot of people bolt to avoid two years of misery.
So a swing that would normally be the loss of 5 seats becomes 25 seats overnight.
17
PeacenotWardudeMar 28, 2026
+11
Most of them are hiding on military bases cause they are scared.
11
3rdhouseonleftMar 28, 2026
+24
people should be worried about the candidates in line to take their place as they are sure to be even worse.
24
QuantumWireMar 28, 2026
+21
They shouldn't flee, they should vote for what's right and stop the faschist takeover.
21
Orange-Toed-LemurMar 28, 2026
+10
They *are* the facist takeover 🤦♂️
10
SasquatchgooseMar 28, 2026
+8
It’s dysfunction of their own making but I’m sure republicans will have no problem blaming Biden, the guy too old to be competent enough to serve but somehow Machiavellian enough to render congress ineffective
8
dassketchMar 28, 2026
+7
Something about rats and sinking ships...
7
Competitive-Bike-277Mar 28, 2026
+5
While this might seem like good news a number of them are trying to be the next Ron DeSantis.
5
Different-Board-9326Mar 28, 2026
+6
The "party of personal responsibility" is literally sprinting for the exits because they realized screaming at clouds doesn't actually count as governed. it's not "fleeing," it's a strategic retreat from the mess they spent a decade brewing. they'll all have cushy lobbying jobs or fox news contribute s**** by monday morning anyway. the rest of us just get stuck with the bill for the broken lightbulbs.
6
BasicPerson23Mar 28, 2026
+6
Too bad they don’t have the guts to vote their conscience before they leave. They will toe the party line to the end.
6
sean_themightyMar 28, 2026
+4
The GOP is the dog that caught the car — and has no earthly idea on what to do with it now. They have everything, and they’ve spent their entire lives doing whatever it takes to get there without a single plan or thought beyond smearing opponents.
And now, they are left with a voter base they cannot possibly please.
4
McKenzie_SMar 29, 2026
+3
The base was a means to an end. It was always about getting and cementing power for as long as they can hold it. They never cared about the people only about growing and keeping power.
3
JDVances_CouchMar 28, 2026
+5
Typical. Break everything then leave for a job where you can profit off of cheerleading for the further destruction of the government and society.
5
Machiavvelli3060Mar 28, 2026
+4
Dysfunction Junction, What's Your Malfunction?
4
pasterhattMar 28, 2026
+3
Cowards. They could stay and actually, you know make things better, but they know doing so would mean going against Trump, and that'd hurt their career prospects in the right wing eco system. Bunch of little bitches.
3
beadzyMar 28, 2026
+5
they’re just trying to gtfo before the prosecutions begin
5
MemitimMar 28, 2026
+4
Sometimes the toilet flushes itself. Just as long as someone is tracking their movements so that they can be brought to trial, or otherwise handled should they flee the country, let the cowardly traitors run. I hope they experience ever-growing fear every day until they find themselves in a interrogation room answering questions about their role in the Republican civil war against America.
4
SpamgrenadeMar 28, 2026
+5
Conservatives in the UK did exactly the same thing when it became obvious that they were going to be hammered in the next election.
5
ThrendsaMar 28, 2026
+5
They flee back to their cushy lives instead of growing a spine and actually fighting back against a fascist regime. F*** all of them.
5
atarijpb1969Mar 28, 2026
+3
They cashed in, got what they wanted, and now they’re cashing out. We’re going to be holding their bag.
3
KiLLiNDaYMar 28, 2026
+5
These folks see the writing on the wall for their respective seats and are trying to maximize their value for the next step they’re trying to takes. Any justification outside of that is complete bs
5
zapitronMar 28, 2026
+3
Judging from the signs I've seen today, pedophilia is getting less and less popular among Americans, arguably already at less than 50% acceptance. If the trend continues, it's going to become really hard for Republicans to get elected.
Sure, they could just change their platform, but they won't. It's easier, and more face-saving, to just let the next term become someone else's problem, instead of flip-flopping and begrudgingly admitting, "ok, maybe raping children isn't as normal and good (i.e. _as popular_) as I thought it was."
3
Gandalf_the_RizzardMar 28, 2026
+4
I can’t wait for Mike Johnson to be out of a job. I can’t wait for him to be a normal citizen eventually.
4
Professional_Deer464Mar 28, 2026
+3
This right here is why I'm not buying the "election will be cancelled" or "rigged" takes.
3
delldarlinMar 28, 2026
+3
Electile dysfunction.
3
RaidSmoliveMar 28, 2026
+3
the fact that they're not fleeing from bloodthirsty masses is among your greatest failures and the reason why the nazis will succeed in putting all of you down...
3
KinkyPaddlingMar 28, 2026
+5
I had a nightmare last night that Republicans picked up 17 seats in the midterms. I f****** pray that it doesn’t come true.
5
Outrageous_Space8083Mar 28, 2026
+2
After causing government dysfunction for 40 years, they’re running away?
2
rit13tMar 28, 2026
+2
Run away cowards, we will not forget.
2
2tix2paradise12Mar 28, 2026
+2
They flee rather than do their jobs, nice example
2
MaaChiilMar 28, 2026
+2
Congresspeople like not having to do their jobs. The more anger expressed at them by constituents, the harder their job becomes when they don't just have to vote down party lines.
2
GreenDavidAMar 29, 2026
+2
If they meant it for real, they’d resign now.
2
ANTILAMER13Mar 29, 2026
+1
Cowards should stay a fix their problem
1
airbear13Mar 29, 2026
+1
Instead of fleeeing maybe they could help Dems impeach?
1
ZimmondaMar 28, 2026
+2
Lol they wrote these articles back in 2018 as well
2
anuiswatchingMar 28, 2026
+1
Yep, your regime change back fired and trump has exposed you republicans for your lies and misrepresentation. We see you clearly now as the party that supports the 1% and anything that gets you money. Problem is 1% cant get you elected.
1
AaronfromKYMar 28, 2026
+1
So the dysfunction is going to be leaving the house then?
120 Comments