I. Introduction

Proposed legislation faces an uphill battle to become actual law. During the five congressional sessions between 2011 and 2020, only 4 to 7 percent of the bills submitted were enacted into law. One author has commented that the lawmaking process is, quote, “filled with opportunities for opponents of [proposed] legislation to obstruct its passage,” unquote.

The Constitution lays out certain requirements for enacting legislation. Each house also has its own rules and customs, and...