Some of the near two dozen lawmakers who already have announced their retirement (not including those accused of sexual harassment) tell Politico Magazine that the vitriol on Capitol Hill was a driving force for their decision.
Whether created by the fire-brand politics of President Donald Trump or fueled by an angry electorate, a host of lawmakers can't wait to leave that part of it behind, Politico reports.
"I've never experienced as much anger and hatred as I did in the first few months of [2017]," Rep. John Duncan, R-Tenn., retiring after 30 years in the House, told Politico.
Further, the 24-hour nonstop media coverage and ensuing social media backlash fuels divisions between parties over fundamental governance; reaching across the aisle on meaningful legislation likely will result in backlash from somewhere, lawmakers told Politico.
Then cue the media angling for another story.
"One of the problems with the internet is it creates a sense on the part of some people that it's all just a referendum," Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Virginia, told Politico.
The result is a system that paralyzes lawmakers from legislating out of fear they'll be the next target on social media.
"The way you solve this problem is you marginalize the members who can't get to yes on these basic matters of governance," Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Penn., told Politico.
"What I've often found here is they talk about the need for a majority of the majority to be there on a bill until they don't."
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