The NPR Politics Podcast Why bipartisanship is disappearing from Congress
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Feb 26, 2026 A lively look at how mid-decade redistricting has made fewer competitive districts and reshaped incentives for lawmakers. The conversation traces how primaries and map changes push representatives away from compromise. Local examples and data illustrate who actually decides many races. A rare lawmaker who still brokers deals is profiled amid talk of reform and voter consequences.
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Redistricting Cut Competitiveness Nationwide
- Mid-decade partisan redistricting produced far fewer competitive congressional districts.
- Trump-led Republican maps and Democratic countermoves left many districts safely red or blue, shifting power to primaries rather than general elections.
Safe Seats Shift Power Toward Primary Voters
- Safe districts push voter power into primaries and depress general election turnout for the minority party.
- Lawmakers therefore prioritize primary electorates and largely ignore independents, the fastest-growing voter group.
Fewer Swing Seats Erode Bipartisan Deals
- Fewer competitive districts mean fewer swing lawmakers willing to broker bipartisan deals.
- The recent fight over extending health subsidies showed cross-party dealmakers mostly came from the remaining competitive districts.