Question

Why is it difficult for congress people to “make change”?

Answer 1

There are many step in getting a bill to be passed, and it is a longer process. A bill can be introduced in either chamber of Congress by a senator or representative who sponsors it.  

Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee whose members will research, discuss, and make changes to the bill.  The bill is then put before that chamber to be voted on.  If the bill passes one body of Congress, it goes to the other body to go through a similar process of research, discussion, changes, and voting.  Once both bodies vote to accept a bill, they must work out any differences between the two versions. Then both chambers vote on the same exact bill and, if it passes, they present it to the president.  The president then considers the bill. The president can approve the bill and sign it into law or veto the bill.  If the president chooses to veto a bill, in most cases Congress can vote to override that veto and the bill becomes a law. But, if the president pocket vetoes a bill after Congress has adjourned, the veto cannot be overridden.