Final answer:
Most bills are pigeonholed and die in committee due to the power of committees, the inefficient legislative process, and the influence of party leadership.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main explanation for the occurrence of most bills being pigeonholed and dying in committee is that committees have a lot of power in the legislative process, including the ability to stop a bill from going to the floor for a vote. Committees are responsible for reviewing and amending bills before they go to the full chambers. If a committee decides not to advance a bill, it is tabled and effectively dies. Only a small percentage of bills make it out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.
Additionally, the process of drafting and amending legislation can be inefficient and time-consuming. Bills must go through multiple readings and votes in both the House and the Senate, and both chambers must pass the exact same version of the bill. This process can lead to delays, disagreements, and ultimately the death of many bills.
Furthermore, the expanded power and influence of party leadership over the control of bills has also contributed to the pigeonholing of bills. The party leadership, driven by heightened partisanship, often uses special rules and restrictions to guide bills through the legislative process towards a specific outcome, bypassing the traditional committee route.