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In the U.S., why are most bills that reach the floor for debate in Congress not controversial?
I ask because I'm unable to understand whether the committee system allows for the avoidance of controversial legislation or, really, there is little difference between the two major parties in practice.
Can anyone explain?
Its partly because anything really crazy gets killed in committee, but it's mostly because most things congress passes really aren't that controversial. There are a lot of bills that just name post offices or renew existing programs and other things of that nature.
Also because the current congress is divided anything potentially controversial will most likely get shot down by the opposite house, it's very rare that a bill will ever get to the floor for a vote unless it's pretty much guaranteed to pass, unless a symbolic effort is being made, it really stems from not wanting to waste their time doing even more pointless things.
