Discourse Politics in Washington Today

In the ’90s, Washington was all about “pundit politics” with shows like “Inside Washington,” “The McLaughlin Group,” “Capital Gang,” and “Crossfire.” I used to be part of that scene.

Now, let me introduce you to what’s happening in today’s “discourse politics.” Fast forward to ten months into Trump’s second term, and Congressional Republicans seem more focused on media presence than on really governing—like keeping the government alive, reducing healthcare costs, or addressing the mounting budget deficit.

Instead, Congress appears to have turned into a hotspot for social media battles. It’s like they’ve established a new form of “pundit politics.” The motivation is pretty clear. Anyone in Congress knows that a podcast can elevate their public persona, help raise funds, and boost their ego. Lawmakers engage in this one-person media universe—host, guest, commentator—all at once.

A recent report from the Oxford Reuters Institute indicated that social media has overtaken television as the primary news source for Americans. In fact, over half of the nation—54 percent—now primarily gets their political updates from social platforms, where sensationalism often trumps accuracy.

It seems that job descriptions for congressional members now emphasize creating viral social media content as a crucial part of their roles. The current mindset on Capitol Hill suggests that this digital activity is the Congress of today. As President Biden often insists, “I’m serious. I’m not kidding.”

Even Vice President J.D. Vance, who also heads the Senate, recently filled in as a host for Charlie Kirk’s podcast after the assassination of a Trump supporter. Before this, he was sent out by the White House to lobby right-wing influencers, pushing for attention on various agendas.

It’s puzzling how a Vice President discussing matters for hours on social media could possibly be time well spent.

The reality is that governing has taken a back seat while managing a political narrative has become the priority.

Members of Congress seem to be closely mirroring Vance, following the lead of Trump, who has mastered the art of shaping the media landscape to appeal directly to his supporters. He creates tailored segments discussing immigration, crime, and aggressive rebuttals against opponents, all the while relying on a crew of former talk show hosts populating his administration.

Trump’s ongoing confrontations with law enforcement and immigration agents are broadcast dramatically, further feeding into this narrative.

As Congressional Republicans try to emulate Trump, it feels like Congress has morphed into a production line for “Live from Capitol Hill,” with podcasts and video streams becoming the norm.

Fundraising and re-election campaigns now appear intertwined with their podcasting endeavors, which stir emotions like anger and frustration among their audiences and supporters.

The evidence of neglecting legislative duties is disheartening. The last Congress, the 118th, passed merely 274 public laws—markedly less productive than the infamous “Do Nothing Congress” of 1947-1948, which passed 906 laws.

Worse still, Congress hasn’t managed to complete spending bills on time since 1996. Currently, we face a government shutdown because one party can’t get a budget approved, even when they have majorities in both houses.

Since 1998, Congress has increasingly relied on continuing resolutions to fund the government, which merely keeps the lights on but avoids making tough decisions. An actual budget has become an elusive goal.

Even the constitutional duty of deciding whether to engage in military actions has been overlooked by today’s representatives, with no pushback from the majority on the President’s military actions without congressional approval.

Committee discussions often feel performative, primarily serving as opportunities for lawmakers to create viral moments rather than fostering substantive discussions or partnerships. Genuine initiatives have been replaced by last-minute, sprawling bills that few even skim before voting.

While Congress is sidetracked by social media dynamics, power is consolidating in the hands of party leaders, non-elected officials, and lobbyists. As they get absorbed in their online presence, significant lobbyists remind politicians of lucrative private sector opportunities when the time comes for them to transition out of public service.

Recently, the Wall Street Journal quoted Steve Bannon, a major player in far-right podcasting, comparing Congress to the Russian Duma, claiming both have devolved into largely ceremonial roles.

That seems pretty spot on.

So, if lawmakers would rather focus on commentary rather than legislation, maybe a true podcaster could do a better job. Just a thought—perhaps we should consider nominating a couple of FOX News colleagues who have proven experience in policy and genuine interest in uplifting their fellow citizens, like Shannon Bream and Brett Baier.

Bringing in a better caliber of podcasters to Capitol Hill might just be the solution we need. Time for those in media to step up and assist the country.