For the first time in a century, the House of Representatives failed to elect a Speaker on the first ballot, or even on the tenth, as Republicans were held hostage by a small group of extremists within their own party. Republicans ultimately found the votes needed in the 15th round, after tempers flared and concerns grew about the power that extreme members potentially would have in the new Congress. This kind of spectacle is the opposite of what Americans want to see.

In November’s election, voters clearly rejected extremist candidates, opting instead for leaders such as Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in Michigan, who ran on platforms promising to solve problems and better meet the needs of constituents. “Chaos agents” and 2020-election deniers lost in major statewide races across the country. Now, in return for voters’ trust, Democrats must continue to deliver on issues that matter to ordinary Americans and show that we are the party that can deliver for our constituents.                                         

Washington, it appears, is headed for two years of gridlock. This heightens the importance of state and local leaders, who must play a critical role through their work by putting forth innovative policies and by making the most of federal investments, including in infrastructure, housing and a clean-energy economy. Here’s how:

First and foremost, state and local leaders must stay focused on issues that matter to voters. They have a tremendous opportunity to do so and to show the value of Democrats’ approach to government, by making wise use of investments approved by Congress and signed into law by President Biden over the past two years.

The American Rescue Plan, for example, did more than just save scores of small businesses that were struggling to recover from the COVID pandemic. State and local leaders are using the funding to bolster child care initiatives in Columbus, Ohio, and expand broadband access in Brownsville, Texas. In Kansas City, Mo., local leaders are using that funding to address the issues of homelessness and affordable housing. 

Similarly, school districts across the nation will be transitioning from diesel-fueled school buses to electric ones through funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The demand for electric buses was so overwhelming that the Environmental Protection Agency doubled the