If members of Congress are afraid of each other, what does that mean for the rest of us?
Sometimes, you wonder if Congress is cracking up. The House of Representatives has always been a fractious place — arguably, it was designed to be — but several reports this week suggest the institution is increasingly succumbing to anger and paranoia.
A quick recap:
On Tuesday, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) said Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) poked and cursed at her after she asked him to mask up while they were riding a train at the Capitol. Rogers later apologized, but the damage was done. "This is the kind of disrespect we have been fighting for years, and indicative of the larger issue we have with GOP Members flaunting health and safety mandates designed to keep us and our staff safe," tweeted Beatty, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Also on Tuesday, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) accused the U.S. Capitol Police of entering his office and taking pictures of confidential documents during the weekend before Thanksgiving. The agency is "maliciously investigating me in an attempt to destroy me and my character," he said
The department's chief said an officer went into the office because its door was left wide open — a normal security precaution, but the matter has been referred to the department's inspector general for review.
That came hot on the heels of a Politico report that the House inspector general might call on the chamber's sergeant at arms to start "behavioral monitoring" of "insider threats" to the House of Representatives — a suggestion that members and their staff might not be safe from their own colleagues. Naturally, there was pushback. "Everything you told me about that report, I will stand at the top of my lungs and fight against," Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) told the newspaper.
Again, interpersonal crankiness between members of the House is nothing new. It's not been so long, for example, since then-Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) hurled a sexist slur at Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). But there's no denying that tensions have risen since last year's insurrection. Some Democrats have made it plain they believe their Republican colleagues — a few of them at least — aided the rioters. It's one thing to disagree with your colleagues, call them names, or even hate them. It's another thing entirely to think they're putting you at risk of bodily harm. At the very least, it makes for a terrible work environment.
Sometimes those fears are merited. In 1858, the House broke out in a fist fight between pro- and anti-slavery forces — more than 30 members were involved in the brawl. Three years later, the Civil War started. Then, as now, the violent tensions inside the chamber reflected the real-world anger and debates going on outside. Let's hope history isn't repeating itself.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
5 bopping cartoons about dancin' Donald
Cartoons Artists take on Trump's favourite tunes, presidential playlists, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Salem's Lot: Stephen King adaptation is 'half-baked' thriller
Talking Point The latest adaptation of this 1975 novel has left many critics feeling underwhelmed
By The Week UK Published
-
Grenada's luxurious new resorts
The Week Recommends The Caribbean island boasts gorgeous beaches and tropical landscapes
By The Week UK Published
-
Trump blames migrants for the housing crisis. Experts aren't so sure.
Talking Points Migrants need housing. They also build it.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are undecided voters, anyway?
Talking Points They might decide the presidential election
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
What power does Elon Musk hold as a campaigner?
Talking Points The world's richest man is going all in to get Donald Trump elected in November — whether it will make a difference is entirely unclear
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How Trump's 'dark' rhetoric could motivate undecided voters
Talking Points 'This is a dark — this a dark speech,' Trump said in Wisconsin
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Is a wider regional war finally at hand in the Middle East?
Talking Points Iran and Israel ramp up the rhetoric
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published