Final answer:
The legislative process has changed from the classic method to a modern approach influenced by the 1974 Budget and Impoundment Control Act, the advent of omnibus bills, enhanced party leadership control, and challenges like executive dominance and polarization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transformation of the Legislative Process
The way bills become law has evolved over time, moving away from the traditional classic legislative process and towards a more modern approach. This shift has been mainly influenced by budget reforms of the 1970s, like the 1974 Budget and Impoundment Control Act. This act provided a framework for Congress to make sweeping budget decisions which, over time, became a mechanism for enacting broad policy changes. The emergence of omnibus bills during the Reagan administration further altered the legislative landscape by packaging various reforms into a single vote, enabling faster implementation of policies.
The contemporary process strengthens the influence of party leadership and reduces the role of individual committees. This is largely due to heightened partisanship and procedures that limit debate and amendments. At the same time, the increased usage of filibusters and cloture in the Senate has also affected the pacing and success rate of legislation. Lastly, challenges like executive dominance, legislative deference, and polarization shape modern legislating, influencing how Congress navigates the process of turning bills into law.