The inability of Congress to pass legislation over the last four years has become cemented in the public's perception.
The New York Times on declared the Senate "sclerotic," which means "becoming rigid and unresponsive; losing the ability to adapt."
On Thursday, the 113th Congress was sworn in and John Boehner, R-Ohio, was re-elected as House Speaker. The Republicans retain their majority in the House, and though the Democrats rule the Senate, they fall short of the 60 votes need to block a filibuster.
So is there any hope that this new Congress — with a record 20 women in the Senate — will make any more progress than the last one?
Take our poll and tell us in the comments.