New Books Network Stuck: How Money, Media and Violence Prevent Change in Congress
Mar 10, 2026
Maya Kornberg, political scientist and Brennan Center senior research fellow, explores why Congress remains gridlocked. She traces how money, media and rising threats reshape newcomer power. Short, vivid stories show understaffing, fundraising pressures, social media’s showmanship, and proposals to rebuild Congress’s capacity.
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Congress Suffers Chronic Understaffing
- Congress is dramatically under-resourced today with thousands fewer staff and unchanged personal staff caps since 1975.
- Loss of committee staff and agencies like the Office of Technology Assessment worsened members' ability to legislate and onboard effectively.
Freshmen Bewilderment Costing Hours
- Freshmen arrived bewildered and lacked basic onboarding, exemplified by a new member losing hours just finding the post office.
- Representative Bill English described the experience as drinking from a fire hose with no prior intern experience to guide him.
AOC Live Streams Congressional Orientation
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez streamed arrival to Washington to normalize congressmember life and reveal poor institutional onboarding.
- Her 'Congress Day Camp Day Zero' videos exposed how freshmen learn basics like tunnels and swag independently.
