As election day approaches, many lawmakers across the United States are bracing for what appears to be a wave of congressional retirements. Despite the fact that several prominent Congressional members are running for re-election, quite a few long-serving senators and representatives are choosing to hang up their hats and call it quits.
The news may come as a surprise to some, considering the fact that some of the members who are choosing to retire are some of the younger members of Congress. However, in recent months the number of younger lawmakers deciding to retire has been steadily growing.
One big reason for the higher rate of retirement among young lawmakers is the fact that many of them are feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work and responsibility that comes with the job. The COVID-19 pandemic has put an even greater strain on lawmakers’ schedules, leading to burnout at an unprecedented rate.
In addition to that, many of these young lawmakers have increasingly felt like they are not able to make a meaningful impact in Washington. There is growing frustration that wider issues such as healthcare reform, climate change, and gun control keep getting put on the backburner, as there is so much infighting and partisan gridlock amongst Congress members.
The situation has been further exacerbated by the president’s tumultuous relationship with the Democrats in Congress. While there have been a few successes over the past four years, the two sides have often been at odds, leaving many young lawmakers feeling increasingly disenfranchised.
It is unclear how the upcoming election will affect the wave of congressional retirements but, as of now, it appears that more young lawmakers may choose to retire if the status quo persists. Only time will tell if they will seek new opportunities elsewhere or remain in Congress to continue pushing their own agendas.