Charlie Hunt, associate professor of political science, recently published an article for The Conversation that discusses the recent approval of President Trump’s domestic tax and spending package, often referred to as the “one big, beautiful bill.” In the article, Hunt explains some reasons why, despite criticism and negative projections on the effects of the bill, it passed Congress with near-total Republican support.
According to Hunt, in the current political environment in the United States, lawmakers’ careers are increasingly tied to their support for the president. For Republican politicians, opposing the current president risks political backlash, and the same is true for Democrats if they support the president. Hunt explains how political polarization has shaped Congress, noting that cross-party collaboration and ticket-splitting have become obsolete, with rigid party unity taking place instead.
Hunt concludes that the prioritization of presidential loyalty over voter concerns may explain why, despite overwhelming opposition, this bill passed through Congress.