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The old cohesion within Congress has been lost to some extent because of a sea change in American politics. Many state and local party organizations have become decrepit. Voters increasingly look on themselves as independent, voting split tickets and welcoming candidates who are not strongly aligned with any party.
More and more Congressmen maintain that their freedom from party directives makes them better legislators. Says Maine Republican William Cohen: "Today's Congressman keeps in closer touch with his constituents, and that helps generate a more responsive system." Even so, Americans still hold the Congress in low esteem. According to a Harris poll in November, only 15% of the voters expressed much confidence in Congress, a slight increase from the 9% of a year earlier but far below the high of 66% in 1966.
The changes have enormously increased members' workloads. During one ho-hum week last year. Congress' 54 committees and 269 subcommittees held 249 hearings. Tennessee Senator James Sasser, a freshman Democrat, notes that eleven hour days are common. Texas Democrat George Mahon had three employees when he entered the House in 1935 and now has eleven, but, he says, "we still can't keep up with the work. All eyes turn to Washington for solutions to all problems. It's an entirely different world." Mo Udall figures that he cast three times as many votes (645) in the House last year as he did five years ago. Says he: "A common complaint is that it isn't fun here any more. There used to be time for conviviality and companionship. Not any more. The job just grinds you down."
Other members gripe about the time that they must spend traveling to home districts and their lack of family life. Adds Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, a first-term Democrat: "There is no time to think ahead on important issues. It's even impossible to think out just the political effects of a decision." Democratic Senator Lawton Chiles of Florida bemoans life in a fishbowl: "Half of the reporters in town are looking on you as a Pulitzer Prize waiting to be won."
Worn down, many veterans of Congress have given up the struggle to stay in office. Remarks Michigan Democrat John Conyers, who has served in the House since 1965: "Congress used to be a lifetime career. You died in Congress, or you tried to become Governor or Senator. On a clear day, some guys even saw the White House. Now members are cashing in early. Congressmen are being watched more closely, criticized more and prosecuted more. And the pay is not that munificent. Lobbyists make twice as much."