Chaotic Speaker Vote Highlights Congress' Shift Toward Parliamentary Dysfunction

The vote to oust Speaker McCarthy was reminiscent of a parliamentary no-confidence vote, showing Congress is acting more like a parliamentary body.

Parties have become highly polarized, leading to gridlock when government is divided but top-down control when one party has full power.

Safe districts and partisan media echo chambers reinforce polarization and empower the parties over individual members.

The breakdown of regular order in Congress leads to dysfunctional legislating through massive omnibus bills rather than regular process.

This dysfunctional dynamic harms bipartisan dealmaking and makes basic governing tasks like funding government difficult, though its full effects remain uncertain.