The Broken Senate

Deadlock, dysfunction and political games.

Known as the world’s most deliberative body, the U.S. Senate is a place of compromise, yet it’s tough to accomplish things, difficult to get legislation passed.

This video sheds light on the process. View it, then answer the questions below.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is it so difficult to pass meaningful legislation in the Senate? What does former Majority Leader Harry Reid believe is the problem? What about Minority Leader (now Majority Leader Mitch McConnell)?

2. The Framers of the Constitution created the Senate to be more removed from the public and serve a check on the “passions” of the directly elected members of the House. Do you think this is what they intended?