Final answer:
Most bills do not make it past the committee phase due to the high hurdle of achieving consensus. The committee has significant authority in determining a bill's progress and its ability to reach the House floor and beyond for further debate and approval.
Step-by-step explanation:
The majority of bills do not pass the committee phase of the legislative process. A committee holds significant power in shaping legislation; it is where most bills are debated, amended, or ultimately tabled, which generally signifies the end of the bill's progress. If a bill survives the committee stage, it moves on to be debated on the House floor and, if passed, continues to the Senate.
In order for a bill to become law, it requires approval from both legislative chambers in identical form, which often involves a complex process of amendments and negotiations. Failing to achieve consensus at any point, particularly during the committee phase, can result in a bill being halted before it ever reaches the House or Senate floor or the governor's desk for final signature.