Congress in Need of Maturity, Says Louisiana Rep. Garret Graves
In a recent interview with Politico, Rep. Garret Graves of Louisiana criticized the state of Congress, describing it as “childish” and lacking in serious leadership. Graves expressed his concern about the quality of representatives in Congress, stating, “I mean, this isn’t a place where you attract the cream of the crop.”
The repercussions of the House’s decision to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker in October continue to be felt. Divided government has proven to be a challenge for many members of Congress, as the resulting legislative gridlock raises doubts about their effectiveness as elected officials.
While some lawmakers retreat to their ideological corners, hoping for their party to gain control of the White House and both chambers of Congress in the next election, others see the opportunity in divided government to seek bipartisan consensus.
However, 2023 has been a tumultuous year on Capitol Hill. The Republican-led House has been plagued by unprecedented leadership crises, culminating in the removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as speaker. Lawmakers have also been engaged in constant clashes over short-term spending bills, which nearly led to government shutdowns.
The increasing number of lawmakers announcing their retirement ahead of the 2024 elections further highlights the current state of Congress. Rep. Garret Graves, a GOP representative from Louisiana, expressed his disappointment with the immaturity displayed by his colleagues, stating that Congress is not attracting the best and brightest individuals.
Graves, who has represented a south-central Louisiana district since 2015, considered running for governor but ultimately decided against it. With Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry winning the governorship last month, Graves chose to focus on his role in Congress.
While Graves opted to remain in Congress, others are leaving to pursue higher office or retire. Currently, 26 lawmakers, including 17 Democrats and 9 Republicans, are set to depart after the 2024 elections.
The Republican Party has been particularly affected by unrest among far-right conservatives this year. With a slim majority of 221-213 in the House, conservatives have wielded significant influence over the legislative agenda. McCarthy’s ascent to the speakership faced obstacles, requiring 15 rounds of voting to secure his position. Despite becoming speaker, McCarthy failed to gain the trust of a crucial bloc of conservatives, leading to his downfall.
Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana was eventually elected as speaker after a prolonged leadership battle. However, tensions persist within the House Republican Conference, as demonstrated by the recent division over a stopgap spending bill. While the bill passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 336-95, it was opposed by 93 members of the House Republican Conference.
Numerous high-profile votes and incidents have further animated the House. These include the censure of Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan for her remarks regarding the Israel-Hamas war, accusations by GOP Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee that he was shoved by McCarthy, and the ongoing controversy surrounding GOP Rep. George Santos of New York, who received a scathing review of his conduct in a newly released Ethics Committee report.
As Congress grapples with these challenges, it is clear that a lack of maturity and seriousness among its members has become a significant concern. The need for effective leadership and a conducive environment for bipartisan cooperation is more important than ever.
