Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently criticized Congress, labeling its 2025 achievements as "paltry."
DeSantis, a Republican, was responding to a report from The Washington Post, which stated, "With fewer than 40 bills signed into law as of Dec. 22, the House and Senate set a modern record for lowest legislative output in the first year of a new presidency."
According to Newsmax, DeSantis argued that the effectiveness of legislative bodies should not be gauged by the sheer number of bills passed. "Congress is apt to create more problems through legislation than it solves," he remarked. He further noted, "That said, the paltry production by the current Congress is noteworthy because so much meat is still left on the bone."
DeSantis also took issue with Congress's perceived failure to uphold its constitutional duties. He referenced James Madison's writings in The Federalist, which asserted that in republican systems, the legislative branch "necessarily predominates." DeSantis elaborated, "But that presumed that each branch would zealously guard its authority against encroachments by the other two."
The governor expressed concern that the modern Congress has not only failed to protect its authority but has also willingly outsourced its essential functions to the bureaucracy. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, offered a contrasting perspective in a Wall Street Journal editorial.
Johnson described the legislative session as "one of the most productive first years of any Congress in our lifetimes," highlighting the passage of 441 bills, the codification of 70 of President Donald Trump's executive orders, and the repeal of 23 regulations enacted by President Joe Biden.
Johnson emphasized the achievements of the Republican-led Congress, despite facing a narrow majority and what he described as "historic obstruction from Democrats." He wrote, "Even with the slimmest of congressional majorities and historic obstruction from Democrats, President Trump and Republicans have kept our promises, restored order and laid the groundwork for an extraordinary new year from containing the border crisis and stabilizing inflation to securing historic tax, trade and peace deals."
Despite these claims, DeSantis remains unconvinced by the legislative body's performance.
DeSantis criticized Congress for being content to act as "a mere observer of the constitutional system rather than a player inside of it." His remarks underscore a broader conservative critique of legislative inefficiency and the perceived overreach of bureaucratic agencies. As the nation looks ahead to future legislative sessions, the debate over Congress's role and effectiveness is likely to persist, with voices like DeSantis's calling for a return to traditional constitutional principles and a more active legislative branch.
Login