In an era marked by deep division and dysfunction on Capitol Hill, a new report identifies a group of lawmakers who managed to cut through the chaos and deliver real legislative results.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, D.C., again emerged as one of Congress’s most effective legislators, continuing her long-running streak of outperforming expectations, according to the Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL).
Norton, who has long championed D.C. statehood and civil rights, was recognized for advancing substantive legislation despite serving in the minority party.
“Thank you for all you have done on behalf of District residents,” social media user Edmund Frost wrote to Norton on X, formerly known as Twitter, in a June 2024 post for her birthday.
The CEL’s 5th biennial report, released this week, highlights the lawmakers in the 118th Congress who made the biggest impact through measurable legislative achievements. Using 15 data-based metrics, including how far bills advanced and whether they became law, the CEL analyzed each legislator’s ability to move policy forward, even as the House faced historic dysfunction, and the Senate braced for change.
Among the report’s findings was that Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, a Democrat who died last year, remained one of the most consistently effective lawmakers. Known for her relentless push for criminal justice reform and civil rights, Jackson Lee maintained one of the longest-standing records of “exceeding expectations” in legislative effectiveness.
Norton and Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey joined her in that distinction.
The report also spotlighted lawmakers like Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York (D) and Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia (D). Meeks, a leading voice on foreign affairs and economic inclusion, and McBath, whose advocacy on gun safety has resonated nationally, were among those who advanced impactful legislation despite partisan gridlock.
“Over a two-year period when party conflicts outside of Washington, D.C., spilled over into the House and Senate, and when the House struggled to conduct its day-to-day business due to leadership challenges, numerous legislators in both parties—several of whom we have identified in previous CEL reports—continued to engage with the hard work of lawmaking and successfully advance their sponsored bills through the legislative process to enact new public policies,” said Alan Wiseman, professor at Vanderbilt University and CEL co-director.
The CEL also found that women in the House minority were among the most effective lawmakers in their party.
In addition, several high-ranking Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Joaquin Castro of Texas, Joe Neguse of Colorado and Dina Titus of Nevada, were commended for their legislative achievements.
On the Republican side, Reps. Sam Graves of Missouri, Don Bacon of Nebraska, and Tom Cole of Oklahoma led in effectiveness.
In the Senate, Michigan’s Gary Peters, California’s Alex Padilla and Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar were recognized as the top-performing Democrats. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida led among Republicans. The CEL noted that Rubio, who now serves as secretary of state, and Peters, who has announced his retirement, represent a loss of institutional legislative strength heading into the 119th Congress.
Newcomers who made an early mark included Reps. Michael Lawler, Marcus Molinaro of New York and Juan Ciscomani of Arizona were all named among the freshmen who “exceeded expectations.” Among first-term senators, Padilla, Indiana’s Mike Braun and Nevada’s Jacky Rosen received recognition for their legislative productivity.
“Effective lawmaking takes hard work, policy expertise, and a willingness to seek out coalition partners, often across party lines,” said Craig Volden, professor of public policy and politics at the University of Virginia and co-director of the CEL. “The legislators featured in our report and highlighted as top performers found ways to address public policy needs during difficult circumstances. Their work is to be commended.”
The full report is available at thelawmakers.org.