BETHLEHEM, Pa. — With Memorial Day behind them, lawmakers are heading toward summer recess amid questions about what, if anything, they will be able to accomplish before voters return their attention to the fall elections.
That was the backdrop for this week's episode of Lehigh Valley Political Pulse, which examined congressional gridlock, state budget negotiations and the political incentives shaping both.
Muhlenberg College political scientist Chris Borick said the current Congress is operating under unusual conditions: unified partisan control that has nonetheless produced limited legislative output.
“To be honest with you right now, they haven’t done a lot,” Borick said. “It’s historic in the lack of things that get done, and you might say, well, that’s Washington, that’s gridlock.”
“To be honest with you right now, they haven’t done a lot."Chris Borick
He noted that the typical expectation in periods of unified government is increased productivity, not stagnation.
“That opens the door, if you will, historically for action, activity,” Borick said, referencing a Republican president and GOP control of both chambers.
“And to have in that period historically low amounts of legislation passed is saying something.”
Borick said Republicans are still likely to campaign on some prior legislative efforts, but argued the window for passing new, politically useful measures before the election is narrowing.
“There’s talk about doing something on energy, on data centers,” he said. “But I don’t think we’ve seen that put into policy at this stage.”
State-level politics
At the state level, Pennsylvania lawmakers also are preparing to leave Harrisburg for a summer stretch without formal session days scheduled in July and August, even as the state budget remains unresolved.
The House has passed a spending plan with some bipartisan support, but the Senate has objected to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s revenue proposals, leaving key differences unresolved.
“I don’t think these folks are going to be leaving town deep into the summer,” Borick said. “I just think there’s too much incentive for both sides to get done and have this off the table in the fall.”
“I don’t think these folks are going to be leaving town deep into the summer."Chris Borick
Among the sticking points are proposals to legalize and tax marijuana, regulate and tax skill games, and raise the minimum wage — measures Democrats argue could generate revenue but Republicans have largely resisted.
“Those three issues that you mentioned right there that are kind of potential revenue stream enhancers for the state marijuana legalization, skill games and the minimum wage,” Borick said, “they all poll pretty well for Democrats.”
Still, he said the politics of budget negotiations often push both sides toward compromise, particularly in election years when uncertainty can become a liability.
The episode closed with broader uncertainty about how Congress, the White House, and state lawmakers will navigate the coming months as budget deadlines, primary dynamics and midterm politics converge.
Watch the episode in the YouTube player above or subscribe at https://www.youtube.com/@LehighValleyPublicMedia.
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