The Broken Branch

In The Broken Branch, political scholars Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein examine the decline of Congress, emphasizing its transformation from a decentralized institution to one marked by partisan division and dysfunction. They trace the historical roots of this crisis, highlighting key events like the 1994 midterm elections that reshaped the power dynamics within Congress. The authors argue that strong party leadership has stifled deliberation and weakened the essential checks and balances of American governance. With a clear diagnosis of the problems, they provide a blueprint for necessary reforms to restore Congress’s vital role in the democratic system.