Let’s face it: politics feels personal, and that connection is palpable on Capitol Hill.
Sure, lawmakers managed to pass legislation to reopen the government during the shutdown, but they missed plenty of opportunities to criticize one another.
The Senate stayed active, allowing only a few bills to get traction, including measures aimed at the release of Epstein-related files. But to understand how effectively Congress is addressing major issues as 2025 comes around, we should look back to when the Senate approved the substantial “Big, Beautiful Bill” in June, followed by the House’s approval in July. Not to mention the talks surrounding funding cuts for foreign programming and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
So, what have members of the House been focused on since their return? Recruiting. Even fellow party members aren’t safe from scrutiny.
It’s become personal. And it doesn’t stop at just elected representatives.
Take, for instance, the Republicans targeting Rep. Stacey Plaskett from the U.S. Virgin Islands. They allege she communicated with Epstein prior to Trump’s first impeachment in 2019. For supporters of Trump in the House, confronting Plaskett seems particularly satisfying; after all, she was one of the impeachment managers who spearheaded the second charge against Trump.
Attempts to reprimand Plaskett fell short, leading Democrats to back down from plans to censure Republican Rep. Cory Mills from Florida as well.
Still, there are calls for Mills to face punishment over two alleged incidents. Democrats contemplated a resolution accusing him of harassment and assault against his ex-girlfriend. Mills firmly denies any wrongdoing.
On a related note, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is advocating for a reprimand aimed at Mills. Earlier in the year, Mills was a key vote blocking Rep. Ilhan Omar from facing condemnation over her comments after a high-profile incident.
Yet the conflicts extend beyond individual accusations. Some lawmakers want to reprimand Mace for her behavior toward TSA officers at an airport in Charleston, South Carolina.
Democratic Rep. Marie Grusenkamp Perez, known for her centrist stance, was gearing up to reprimand Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.) in November. However, Garcia unexpectedly announced he would not be running for re-election, citing family health matters, including the recent adoption of an 8-year-old boy. Interestingly, only his chief of staff seemed aware of these developments.
Ironically, this chief of staff, Patty Garcia, who isn’t related to Chuy, promptly filed to run for his seat. Now, she’s positioned as a frontrunner for election in the predominantly Democratic area.
Critics suggest this political maneuvering was premeditated by the outgoing lawmaker to limit competition. It feels like the no-holds-barred politics that characterized past eras in Chicago.
Grusenkamp Perez, among others, expressed frustration after voting to keep Garcia in the fold, with more than 20 Democrats joining Republicans in the decision.
Chances seem favorable that Patty Garcia will step into Congress in late 2026. And with the support she’s getting, it’s going to be quite the transition for her in January 2027.
Meanwhile, Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus McCormick is facing calls for expulsion after being indicted for allegedly embezzling $5 million in COVID-related funds. Despite these serious charges, she maintains her innocence.
Earlier, there was an attempt to expel Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) for assaulting an ICE officer. McIver remains incarcerated and insists he’s innocent.
Things could escalate further. Senators, including Elissa Slotkin from Michigan and Mark Kelly from Arizona, along with several House members, are under scrutiny for a video encouraging military personnel to reject illegal orders. An investigation is being led by Army Secretary Pete Hegseth, who’s hinted at bringing some of these lawmakers back to active duty for breaching military protocols.
And then there’s the interpersonal drama, with President Trump publicly criticizing his rival Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) over personal choices. Trump even quipped about Massie’s recent marriage shortly after the death of his first wife.
As we enter the holiday season, the mood on Capitol Hill feels particularly grim, leaving many to wonder just how bad it can truly get.
But with so much Congress still left in the 119th session and given the long breaks they took earlier in the year, it’s quite clear that tensions are unlikely to ease anytime soon.
In the end, lawmakers appear to favor personal attacks over legislative productivity. Engaging in character assaults is simply more effective for scoring political points.
