Amid all the speculation and introspection over what factors were decisive in the 2024 election, one thing is clear: More and more Americans sense that our democracy isn’t working or delivering for them. is near historic lows, and that democracy doesn’t do a good job representing them. Our democratic system requires the faith of the people.
So this loss of confidence in our system is dire. Americans across party and ideology see a Congress that seems unrepresentative of their communities and values and has become increasingly , . It’s easy for those of us in Congress to deflect blame or throw up their hands.
But we have a responsibility to listen to the calls for change, take them seriously and offer reforms that can restore faith in our democracy. That’s why we have proposed several pieces of legislation to begin breaking down the barriers to good governance. These obstacles prioritize partisanship, stoke division and make it harder for members to work together on behalf of their constituents.
Our proposals are rooted in the recognition that Americans share meaningful bonds of place, history and culture with our neighbors. We face the same daily challenges. But we are bombarded with partisan agendas that are engineered to drive us apart and drown out local concerns.
Effective representative governance requires members of Congress to bring those concerns to the forefront — because they’re the only ones who can. Look at the two of us: one uniquely attuned to the im.
