Congress 250: Lessons about Representative Democracy that Resonate Today
This year, the Levin Center joins Americans celebrating our country’s 250th birthday by leaning into the values that fueled our revolution and our march toward democracy. In what we are calling “Congress 250,” the Levin Center embarks on a year-long effort to tell the story of Congress’ journey to deliver democratic representation – from the American Revolution to the present.
At a time when Congress has some of the lowest approval ratings ever, we will hold up Congress’ history to reveal its role in delivering, however imperfectly, on America’s founding promise of democratic representation – that is, the opportunity to be heard and represented in the rooms where public power is wielded.
We celebrate our founding knowing that many Americans have grown so frustrated with our government that they are drawn to the promises of demagogues who would undo much of what our revolution built. Colonial Americans waged war to win their independence because they felt unheard by the British Parliament; many Americans today feel ignored by a Congress that fails to take seriously their problems or its own power. The public’s anger and Congress’ inaction together are a mutually reinforcing threat to our representative democracy.
We want to use Congress 250 to provide information and programing that reminds us of what Congress can accomplish when it accepts the responsibilities and authority it has to represent the interests of the American people. Each Friday we will publish a fact — a “Friday Fact” — about Congress that reminds us of its pivotal importance to our government and our democracy. Congress 250 will also feature panel discussions and other events aimed at illuminating how Congress has evolved from 1774 to the present.
Click the image to submit a “Friday Fact” to our campaign. If you include your name, we will give a shout-out on social media!
Senator Carl Levin, our founder and namesake, taught us that good government requires a commitment to facts, cooperation, and personal decency. By adhering to these values, our leaders reduce the distance between the people and their government and ensure that public resources are focused on the concerns of the people.
This year will be pivotal to the future of American democracy. With the support of the Levin Center’s partners, we will help our fellow Americans – from legislative staff in Washington to high schoolers in Michigan – to see what Congress can be if its members do the work of representing us.