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The Founding Fathers envisioned elected officials maintaining close ties with their constituents, but reality has proven quite different from their expectations.

As Mark Twain famously quipped, “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”

Despite their historically low popularity, congressional approval ratings have seen a notable uptick following President Donald Trump’s influence. A Gallup poll conducted between February 3-16 revealed a significant 70 percent increase in congressional approval ratings since January 17, just days before Trump’s inauguration.

However, this improvement should be viewed with perspective. The ratings merely climbed from a dismal 17 percent to a still-modest 29 percent. This pattern isn’t unique to Trump’s presidency. Similar increases occurred during past presidential transitions, with Barack Obama’s tenure seeing Congress’s approval rise from 20 percent in December 2008 to 39 percent by March 2009. The trend continued through Trump’s first term and into Joe Biden’s presidency.

Senate Republicans have largely aligned with Trump’s agenda, particularly regarding Cabinet confirmations. The most opposition faced was during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s confirmation, with only three dissenting votes. This unity was further reinforced when Nicole Shanahan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s 2024 running mate, threatened to fund primary challenges against senators opposing Kennedy’s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The House of Representatives, under Republican control, has made modest progress, notably passing the Laken Riley Act, though substantial legislative achievements remain limited.

Congress’s reputation continues to face challenges, particularly evidenced by their handling of Ukraine funding. A social media post captured public sentiment:

“Dear Ukraine flag-waving American politicians who wrote blank checks to fund the war…
Where is the $100 billion of US military aid that went missing?!?
– The American taxpayers”

With Elon Musk, now heading the Department of Government Efficiency, exposing widespread issues in Washington, questions arise about congressional complicity in various irregularities.

While the Founders’ vision of a truly representative government remains unfulfilled, current developments suggest that legislative resistance to Trump’s agenda has been minimal compared to obstacles from the judiciary and bureaucracy. Congressional Republicans have at least met the basic expectations of Trump’s supporters.