ALTHOUGH CONGRESS IS a powerful and influential institution, it has a number of serious problems and weaknesses. These often reduce its effectiveness and mar its public image. For instance, a member's workload—the sheer bulk of duties, bills, debates, and meetings he or she must deal with in each session—has grown much too large. Members often end up spreading themselves too thinly, thus reducing congressional efficiency. Rivalry and stubborn disagreement between members over party politics also slow and confuse the legislative process. The combined result is often congressional gridlock—the failure to pass bills or complete other needed work—a situation that increasingly sparks public criticism.

Members of Congress are also coming under increasing fire for practices that are as old as the legislature itself. One such practice is "pork barrel" spending, in which a member channels large sums...