Buck on Capitol Hill Corruption and Dysfunction

Former Colorado Republican Representative Ken Buck voiced his greatest frustrations and shed light on how Congress operates during an interview for departing legislators set to air. Having represented Colorado’s 4th Congressional District since 2015, Buck announced in late last year that he would not seek reelection in the upcoming elections of 2024 due to what he described as “lying” from his party regarding the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. In a short statement, Buck explained, “[I]t has been an honor to serve the people of Colorado’s 4th District in Congress for the past nine years.” As controversy shrouds productivity amid political tussle, particularly as legislative operations flounder under high levels of unproductiveness due to party infighting, Buck disclosed his dissatisfaction with antitrust legislation concerning Big Tech during an exit interview with The New York Times. “One of the most frustrating experiences for me was the anti-trust legislation regarding Big Tech,” said Buck, “[T]hey have so much money and so much influence on the Hill that we just can’t move forward on those issues.” He also lamented being told how to vote repeatedly by his party. “The frustration of being in the House and being told all the time ‘This is how you need to vote,’” Buck said, “[T]he part of me that wanted to stick around because I believed we could get more things done died.” Buck’s complaints echoed claims about corruption within Congress; he asserted that demands for specific dollar amounts were made on him if he desired particular committee positions. “I was told at the beginning that I had to raise $250,000 if I wanted to be on certain committees,” said Buck, “[A]nd if I wanted to be on more important committees or committees with broader jurisdiction, I needed to raise even more money.” He described this process as “buying” his positions in the House. Furthermore, Buck stated that social security would run out within a few years while Medicare is likely headed for bankruptcy too. “We can’t sustain $34 trillion of debt,” he said, “[T]he incentive [now] is to spend all the money we don’t have and put the burden on our grandchildren because I get to go back to my district and tell people in my district ‘I got that bridge for you. We improved this interstate highway.’” Buck suggested changing the current structure of Congress to minimize political divides: “[O]utilize responsible government… To move forward.” He also proposed living arrangements similar to those during the 1970s and 80s, where legislators resided in Washington with their families. This change would foster a “social basis” for better acquaintance between lawmakers. Buck asserted that such measures could limit division and hate within Congress: “[T]here was less divisiveness… Now getting back to the district is essential so I can see why it’s shifted, but the shift has caused some of the dysfunction in congress.”