Republicans just grabbed the reins of Congress, but it might not be the win they’re hoping for, according to conservative writer George Will. His warning? Despite their new control, they might be in for a tough time ahead.
Why? Well, aside from the 2026 midterms looming large, Republicans could face a real challenge trying to make things happen with Donald Trump back in charge. Will, who’s been critical of the modern MAGA movement, pointed out that while the executive branch—aka the president—has gained a ton of power over the years, Congress is looking less and less effective.
Power Shifting to the White House
In his piece, Will highlighted how much power presidents have been amassing over recent decades. With Congress more dysfunctional than ever, it’s unlikely that things will change anytime soon, especially with all the infighting even before Republicans officially took control.
The President’s Grip on Power
So how bad is it? Will asked how we’re managing all the “emergencies” we’re living through, referring to the 79 declared emergencies since 1979, many of which are still active today. Some of these give the president powers to make major decisions without Congress, including a law from 1934 that could give the president control over internet communication in case of war. Sounds a bit like a “kill switch,” doesn’t it?
The Era of Presidential Power
This trend has led to what Will calls a “presidentialism ethos.” In simple terms, the president is the one calling the shots, not Congress. Members of Congress, especially from the president’s party, are expected to fall in line. This wasn’t always the case, though. Back in Abraham Lincoln’s day, it was considered audacious for a president to even suggest specific legislation to Congress.
What Does This Mean for the GOP?
Here’s the bottom line: It doesn’t matter how unified the Republicans are in Congress—they’re still facing an uphill battle. The history of the past few decades shows that unified governments rarely last long. Of the seven times since 1992 that either party has held both the presidency and Congress, none made it past three years without facing major challenges.
In other words, while Republicans might have won control of Congress, they might not have won the power they think they did. Time will tell how long they can hold onto it!
