Measuring Congress’s Output: How Much Are Lawmakers Getting Done?

WHO:

WCVB - Alan Wiseman, co-director of the Center for Effective Lawmaking, said congressional work includes many legitimate activities and that lawmakers can advance agendas through the legislative process.

WMUR - Alan Wiseman, co-director of the Center for Effective Lawmaking, said congressional work includes many legitimate activities and that lawmakers can advance agendas through the legislative process.

WTAE - Alan Wiseman, co-director of the Center for Effective Lawmaking, said congressional work includes many legitimate activities and that lawmakers can advance agendas through the legislative process.

WCVB - Senate Majority Leader John Thune expanded the Senate’s schedule from a four-day week to a five-day week, partly to accelerate contentious cabinet confirmations.

WMUR - Senate Majority Leader John Thune expanded the Senate’s schedule from a four-day week to a five-day week, partly to accelerate contentious cabinet confirmations.

WTAE - Senate Majority Leader John Thune expanded the Senate’s schedule from a four-day week to a five-day week, partly to accelerate contentious cabinet confirmations.

WCVB - Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-New York) each sponsored or cosponsored 10 bills that passed into law.

WMUR - Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-New York) each sponsored or cosponsored 10 bills that passed into law.

WTAE - Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-New York) each sponsored or cosponsored 10 bills that passed into law.

WCVB - Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) sponsored the most legislation, with 359 bills. Excluding congressional leaders, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tennessee) each sponsored one bill.

WMUR - Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) sponsored the most legislation, with 359 bills. Excluding congressional leaders, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tennessee) each sponsored one bill.

WTAE - Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) sponsored the most legislation, with 359 bills. Excluding congressional leaders, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tennessee) each sponsored one bill.

WCVB - Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) missed 137 votes; Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) missed 116 and 114 votes, respectively. Gallego was on paternity leave; McConnell had been hospitalized after a fall.

WMUR - Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) missed 137 votes; Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) missed 116 and 114 votes, respectively. Gallego was on paternity leave; McConnell had been hospitalized after a fall.

WTAE - Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) missed 137 votes; Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) missed 116 and 114 votes, respectively. Gallego was on paternity leave; McConnell had been hospitalized after a fall.

WCVB - Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Florida) missed nearly 200 votes after eye surgery. Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Arizona) missed 97% of votes before his death. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill missed 56% of eligible votes, largely while campaigning for governor.

WMUR - Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Florida) missed nearly 200 votes after eye surgery. Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Arizona) missed 97% of votes before his death. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill missed 56% of eligible votes, largely while campaigning for governor.

WTAE - Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Florida) missed nearly 200 votes after eye surgery. Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Arizona) missed 97% of votes before his death. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill missed 56% of eligible votes, largely while campaigning for governor.

WHAT:

WCVB - The article says the 119th Congress could be among the least productive in at least 45 years if productivity is measured by laws passed; as of the article’s stated count, lawmakers had introduced more than 15,500 bills and enacted 138.

WMUR - The article says the 119th Congress could be among the least productive in at least 45 years if productivity is measured by laws passed; lawmakers had introduced more than 15,500 bills and enacted 138.

WTAE - The article says the 119th Congress could be among the least productive in at least 45 years if productivity is measured by laws passed; lawmakers had introduced more than 15,500 bills and enacted 138.

WCVB - In 2025, 4% of Senate bills and 6% of House bills passed. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” was nearly 900 pages and covered tax cuts, defense spending increases, and stricter health care and food-assistance requirements.

WMUR - In 2025, 4% of Senate bills and 6% of House bills passed. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” was nearly 900 pages and covered tax cuts, defense spending increases, and stricter health care and food-assistance requirements.

WTAE - In 2025, 4% of Senate bills and 6% of House bills passed. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” was nearly 900 pages and covered tax cuts, defense spending increases, and stricter health care and food-assistance requirements.

WCVB - Republicans introduced an average of 42 bills per member in the 119th Congress; Democrats introduced 56. Democrats cosponsored an average of 63% more bills per lawmaker than Republicans.

WMUR - Republicans introduced an average of 42 bills per member in the 119th Congress; Democrats introduced 56. Democrats cosponsored an average of 63% more bills per lawmaker than Republicans.

WTAE - Republicans introduced an average of 42 bills per member in the 119th Congress; Democrats introduced 56. Democrats cosponsored an average of 63% more bills per lawmaker than Republicans.

WHERE:

WCVB - The House and Senate conduct sessions in Washington, D.C.; lawmakers also travel to their districts to meet constituents.

WMUR - The House and Senate conduct sessions in Washington, D.C.; lawmakers also travel to their districts to meet constituents.

WTAE - The House and Senate conduct sessions in Washington, D.C.; lawmakers also travel to their districts to meet constituents.

WHEN:

WCVB - The House had held 47 full eight-hour workdays and the Senate about 83 session days as of Aug. 31. A typical full-time worker would have worked about 167 days during the same eight-month period.

WMUR - The House had held 47 full eight-hour workdays and the Senate about 83 session days as of Aug. 31. A typical full-time worker would have worked about 167 days during the same eight-month period.

WTAE - The House had held 47 full eight-hour workdays and the Senate about 83 session days as of Aug. 31. A typical full-time worker would have worked about 167 days during the same eight-month period.

WCVB - The Senate had been in session about 158 days over the prior year. The article says all 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats were up for election on Nov. 3.

WMUR - The Senate had been in session about 158 days over the prior year. The article says all 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats were up for election on Nov. 3.

WTAE - The Senate had been in session about 158 days over the prior year. The article says all 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats were up for election on Nov. 3.

WHY:

WCVB - The article says lawmakers historically spend less time in Washington during election years; calendar gaps allow them to return home and meet constituents.

WMUR - The article says lawmakers historically spend less time in Washington during election years; calendar gaps allow them to return home and meet constituents.

WTAE - The article says lawmakers historically spend less time in Washington during election years; calendar gaps allow them to return home and meet constituents.

HOW:

WCVB - A bill must pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the president; after a veto, it requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers to pass.

WMUR - A bill must pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the president; after a veto, it requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers to pass.

WTAE - A bill must pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the president; after a veto, it requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers to pass.

WCVB - When Congress is not in session, lawmakers can draft bills, conduct oversight, and participate in committee hearings. Parts of bills that do not advance may be incorporated into other laws; congressional records do not track how many such provisions are included, which Wiseman said can raise transparency concerns.

WMUR - When Congress is not in session, lawmakers can draft bills, conduct oversight, and participate in committee hearings. Parts of bills that do not advance may be incorporated into other laws; congressional records do not track how many such provisions are included, which Wiseman said can raise transparency concerns.

WTAE - When Congress is not in session, lawmakers can draft bills, conduct oversight, and participate in committee hearings. Parts of bills that do not advance may be incorporated into other laws; congressional records do not track how many such provisions are included, which Wiseman said can raise transparency concerns.

(UPDATED October 28, 2026 22:03 UTC)

The 119th Congress may be among the least productive in at least 45 years, with lawmakers introducing more than 15,500 bills and enacting 138. By the reported count, the House had held 47 full workdays and the Senate about 83 session days, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune expanded the Senate schedule to five days a week, partly to speed up contentious cabinet confirmations. Alan Wiseman of the Center for Effective Lawmaking said lawmakers can advance agendas through the legislative process, and noted that congressional work includes many legitimate activities.