ABSTRACT
As only a small proportion of legislative proposals ever become law in America, the legislative process can be likened to an obstacle race with many runners or competitors falling at each of the hurdles, so that only a few actually finish the course. The filtering process that takes place means that it is often easier to prevent the passage of a bill than to ensure its success, and this is particularly true of controversial proposals or ones that directly affect the interests of important groups. It is worth considering the various stages of the legislative process, and particularly the vital points where a bill can be delayed or rejected.
