Amateur hour in Congress: How political newcomers fuel gridlock and government shutdowns

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Rachel Porter, University of Notre Dame and Jeff Harden, University of Notre Dame

(THE CONVERSATION) The ongoing government shutdown shows how hard it has become for Congress to do its most basic job: keeping the government running. Ending the stalemate will require lawmakers from both parties to strike a deal – a reminder that legislative progress depends on bipartisanship.

Politicians often call for greater cooperation across party lines, and research shows that bills rarely become law without it. Bipartisan deal-making is also popular with the public. Recent polls demonstrate that Americans are twice as likely to favor leaders who compromise to get things done over those who stick to their beliefs and accomplish less.

Yet partisan gridlock continues to stall...