Congress Faces Criticism for Historic Inaction as Legislative Output Hits Record Low

Washington, D.C. – June 22, 2025 – The 119th Congress is drawing sharp criticism for its historically low productivity, with legislative output reaching its lowest point since the 1930s. As of April 2025, only 46 out of 12,354 introduced bills have become law, representing a passage rate of just 0.037%. This marks a significant decline compared to the historical average of 130-140 laws enacted per session.

Public frustration is mounting over Congress’s failure to fulfill basic constitutional duties, such as passing regular funding bills. In the past two years, only 35 laws have been enacted, a stark contrast to previous sessions: the 115th and 116th Congresses passed 442 and 344 bills, respectively, while the 117th Congress enacted 362 laws. Experts note that even during other periods of divided government, Congress has managed a higher legislative output.

One of the most contentious issues is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed the House in May 2025. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), consolidates a range of fiscal and policy proposals, including defense spending and tax reforms. While some provisions, such as the expansion of the child tax credit, have garnered bipartisan support, deep divisions remain over budget cuts and other policy measures.

Economic analysis of the House-passed reconciliation bill, which forms a core part of the legislative agenda, projects an increase in primary deficits by $2.8 trillion over the next decade. While the bill is expected to provide a slight boost to GDP, it also raises concerns about long-term fiscal sustainability and potential declines in average wages.

As Congress faces mounting pressure to address pressing national concerns, including economic recovery and government funding, many Americans are expressing growing dissatisfaction with lawmakers’ inability to deliver results. The ongoing legislative gridlock has fueled calls for reform and greater accountability in the nation’s capital.