Final answer:
The public tends to respond to Congress's failure to act with frustration and decreasing approval ratings, as evidenced by historical events such as the 2013 government shutdown and the 1995 stalemate on the national budget.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout various periods in U.S. history, citizens' reactions to Congress's failure to act have been marked by frustration and decreasing approval ratings. A memorable example occurred after the government shutdown in October 2013, when approval ratings for Congress plunged to a mere 9%. The inability of Congress to enact legislation during key moments of national distress, such as the Great Recession and extensive public works projects like those advocated by Coxey's Army in 1894, has frequently led to a loss of public confidence and a perception of Congressional ineffectiveness.
Similarly, during the national budget stalemate in 1995 between President Bill Clinton and the Republican Congress, congressional approval fell. This trend of disapproval is further supported by public opinion surveys showing over 80% of respondents believed most members of Congress did not deserve reelection in 2014. The continuous threat of government shutdowns, as well as the struggle with raising the debt ceiling in 2014 that nearly led to a default on U.S. loans, demonstrates the severity of the ineffectiveness and the increasing polarization in Congress.