Due to the large population of America, this can already be seen as a difficulty as there would be a mass of Bills that has been proposed compared to the UK. As Congress is bound to have a load of Bills that are pigeonholed, they have a Rules Committee which decides what Bills to be debated. Unlike the UK, US Senate does not have unlimited debate and discussion on a Bill, therefore there must be conditions and limitations set and that is performed by the rules Committee. This could count as a great difficulty as a Bill can be left considered whilst others goes on to debates.
One other great difficulty for a proposed legislation to be successful in US politics would be the bicameral houses in Congress. In the US, where the numbers of people are much larger; each (within the two-party system) usually have the majority in one of the houses – an example of this would be currently Democrats hold majority in Senate and Republicans hold majority in the House of Representatives. As in the timetabling process; in the senate there must be a unanimous consent agreement that is stated by the senate majority and minority. As they are from two different parties, this may be a difficult process to receive – Bills such as abortion and gun control is something the two parties are on the opposite side of the line to each other, therefore would be extremely hard to get a unanimous consent agreement among it. Whereas in UK Parliament; House of Commons has more influence in legislations as House of Lords only review legislation that has been initiated by the House of Commons. However House of Lords are able to propose amendments on it and also veto.
Both in the US and UK, a filibuster can arise to get their chance to speak to block or bring forward a bill – An example of this in the US would be Wendy Davis, Texas on Abortion. A difficulty here would be that in the US; the senate are able to bring a cloture motion or through with 60 votes. An example of this would be the military sexual assault bills that are set for senate votes; if it receives 60 votes, then it is able to go to into the vote for the final passage of the bill – this only requires a simple majority. A roll-call vote takes place if the measure is controversial.
Another great difficulty would be that during the third reading in US; Congress is given another opportunity for debate even though the debate must be brief. A further vote is then taken, which means that decisions of congressmen could be changed within this debate. In contrasts with the UK as in the third reading there is only a general discussion, where no amendments are allowed therefore just to confirm what the Bill.
Unlike the UK, when one house (of commons) where most decisions such as amendments are made and are then past onto the other house (of lords) to review it; in the US, both houses have two separate debates on the bill and come together in the Conference Committee process. If there is a significant difference between the two versions then there would be a conference committee that consists of members from both chambers. The Freedom of Information has got the House of Representation’s version of the Bill and now they are just waiting for the Senate’s version. When the Senate releases their version of the Bill, the HOR are able to finalise their version; however is there is a significant different then a conference committee will be called.
To conclude; proposed legislation face greater difficulties in Congress than in the UK Parliament due to factors such as the large population and strong ideologies of the two party systems; this makes it harder to gain super majority’s in sectors needed – such as deciding on issues to do with taxation.
