Gridlocked 118th Congress Passed Fewest Laws in Decades

The number of bills passed by Congress has been on a downward trend over the past 75 years.

The average dropped from around 828 bills per two-year session in the 1950s to less than half that, about 355, across the last five full Congresses, according to data tracked by The Brookings Institution.

But the 118^th Congress, which ends at noon Friday, was particularly favorable to those backing a limited government, passing the fewest laws in decades.

Since the 118^th began its session on Jan. 3, 2023, the Republican-controlled House and Democrat-controlled Senate teamed to pass just over 150 laws, Axios reported Monday, citing data obtained from public affairs firm Quorum.

Granted, the House was paralyzed for much of its first year with Republicans squabbling over the speakership. They eventually ousted Kevin McCarthy and replaced him with Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La. A narrow Republican majority made it difficult for Johnson to navigate through getting legislation passed.

Also, with Republicans and Democrats having such a disparity in political agendas, and with a Democrat in the White House, it's not too surprising little legislative ground was gained.

Yet, the previously most unproductive congressional sessions were the 112th and 113th — in which, like the 118^th, Republicans controlled the House and clashed with a Democrat-controlled Senate and Democrat president (Barack Obama). After that, it was the 104th, in which President Bill Clinton faced a Republican-controlled Congress.

Still, those Congresses passed more than 270, 280 and 310 bills, respectively, making them far more productive than the 118th. In the 117^th Congress, where Democrats controlled both chambers and the White House, a total of 350 bills were passed, according to Axios.

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