Question

It is so difficult for Congress to pass laws because _____?

1) a bill can be defeated at many points in the process.
2) of the sheer size of the institution.
3) of the rivalry that exists between the House and Senate.
4) the lack of legislative leadership demonstrated by recent Presidents.
5) passing a bill is costly.

Answer 1

Congress faces difficulty in passing laws due to the complex legislative process involving multiple stages across two chambers, the partisan influence on the flow of bills, and the leadership's control over legislative outcomes.

Step-by-step explanation:

It is difficult for Congress to pass laws primarily because a bill can be defeated at many points in the legislative process. In the classic legislative process, a bill must pass through rigorous stages in both chambers - the House of Representatives and the Senate - involving committee evaluations, floor debates, and amendments.

Executing these steps in both chambers increases the likelihood of a bill being altered, rejected, or stalled. Additionally, bills must be passed in identical form by both chambers, often requiring a conference committee to reconcile differences, which adds more time and complexity.

Moreover, the process is affected by party politics and increased partisanship, with leadership roles becoming more influential in guiding bills, often towards a particular predetermined outcome. This concentration of power can limit the effectiveness of committees and contribute to a bottleneck in the flow of legislation. These structural and procedural hurdles combined with political dynamics underscore why passing legislation in Congress is often an arduous endeavor.