Why Some Senators Walked Away: A Look at Congress' Struggles

A Tough Spot

The U.S. Senate is currently facing significant challenges. Critics argue that it's not effectively checking the president's power, and public approval is at a mere 15%. This is not a favorable statistic.

Departures During Trump's Presidency

Three senators chose to step down during Trump's tenure, each with their own reasons:

• Jeff Flake (Republican, Arizona): Left due to disagreements with Trump's influence on the party.
• Joe Manchin (Democrat turned Independent, West Virginia): Departed after frequently voting with Republicans, which alienated some Democrats.
• Tina Smith (Democrat, Minnesota): Announced her upcoming departure.

Why the Senate Isn't Working Well

These former senators discussed the Senate's current inefficiencies:

• Difficulty in Standing Up to the President: They highlighted the challenges in opposing the president's actions.
• Inadequate Job Performance: The Senate is not fulfilling its constitutional duties effectively.
• Freedom to Speak Out: They joked that leaving the Senate allowed them to speak more freely.

The Senate's Role and Current Performance

The Senate is designed to check the president's power, but it's falling short in several areas:

• Funding Agencies: The Senate is not adequately funding essential agencies.
• Foreign Affairs: It's not handling foreign affairs as effectively as it should.
• Public Notice: The public is taking notice of these shortcomings.

The Big Question

The Senate needs to step up and do its job. But will it?