Stuck - How Money, Media and Violence Prevent Change in Congress

Maya Kornberg's Stuck traces five decades of congressional history to explain why the institution struggles to deliver for the American people. She identifies three interlocking forces—escalating campaign money, a media ecosystem rewarding spectacle, and growing threats and violence—that distort lawmakers' incentives and erode capacity. Through interviews with members, historical examples like the Watergate and Gingrich eras, and policy analysis, Kornberg shows how Congress ceded power to the executive and lost internal resources. She proposes pragmatic reforms to rebuild legislative capacity, strengthen oversight, and make the chamber more accessible and resilient. The book argues that meaningful change is possible if voters elect reform-minded members and Congress is resourced to do its constitutional job.