Bipartisanship is really important in the American political system. It helps keep a balance of power, making sure that no one part of the government gets too strong. In the United States, we have a system called checks and balances. This means that the government has different parts—the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each part has its own jobs and can limit the power of the others.

How Bipartisanship Strengthens Checks and Balances

1. Working Together:

   • Bipartisanship encourages different political parties to work together. This teamwork is important when creating laws that both sides can agree on. When parties join forces, they often come up with laws that consider more opinions and make better rules for everyone.
   • For example, during the 111th Congress (2009-2011), the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed with support from both parties. It got 60 votes in the Senate and was a key response to the financial crisis in 2008. This showed how working together can lead to good solutions.

2. Building Trust:

   • When parties cooperate, it can help people trust the government more. Research shows that people's approval of Congress often changes based on political party lines. But when parties pass laws together, it can help bridge that divide. A Gallup poll from 2021 showed that only 31% of Americans trusted Congress. However, when there are signs of bipartisanship, it might help improve that trust.
   • A survey by the Pew Research Center found that 61% of Americans believe that cooperation between parties is key for effective government, showing that many people want bipartisan action.

3. Keeping Power in Check:

   • When both parties work together, it creates another level of responsibility. Bipartisanship helps make sure that laws are carefully checked by both sides, preventing any one party from pushing through extreme rules without proper review.
   • The War Powers Resolution of 1973 is a good example. It shows how bipartisan action can limit the president's power in military matters, requiring both branches to agree.

Weakened Checks and Balances Due to Bipartisanship

1. Weakening Laws:

   • While bipartisanship can spark good conversations, it can also weaken laws. Sometimes, in trying to find common ground, important parts of a bill get removed to please everyone, which can result in less effective rules.
   • For instance, the Affordable Care Act was changed a lot to get bipartisan approval, which may have affected the original goals of the law.

2. Partisan Standstill:

   • When bipartisanship isn’t possible, it can lead to deadlocks or stalemates. If parties cannot agree, it can cause government shutdowns or delays in important laws. For example, there was a long government shutdown from 2018 to 2019 that lasted 35 days, mainly because the two parties could not agree.
   • Research shows that more partisanship has led to more gridlocks. The Congressional Research Service noted that from 1977 to 2019, the number of important laws passed each year dropped to its lowest since after World War II because of the divided political climate.

Conclusion

Bipartisanship can be a tricky thing when it comes to the checks and balances in government. It can make the system stronger by promoting cooperation, building trust, and ensuring accountability. However, it can also weaken the effectiveness of laws and lead to political gridlock. In the end, whether bipartisanship helps or harms the checks and balances system depends on how well both parties can work together and focus on what’s best for everyone, rather than just their party interests.