In a recent article for The Conversation, “Congress began losing power decades ago – and now it’s giving away what remains to Trump,” political scientist and professor Charlie Hunt argues that the United States Congress has steadily lost power and relevance, particularly in relation to the presidency, a trend that has accelerated under Donald Trump.
Although Congress is designated as the primary lawmaking body according to the United States’ Constitution, over time it has shifted many of its core responsibilities to the president, Hunt says. The loss of power in Congress can partially be attributed to factors such as nationalized politics, party polarization and the willingness of Congress to defer to the executive branch. Hunt explained that this shift can bear serious consequences for local governments and, ultimately, all United States citizens.