What Congressional barriers do legislation have to overcome before becoming law?

Answer 1

Each Congress is elected for a two-year term and holds two annual sessions. During that time, as many as 20,000 bills might be introduced, but only 5 percent to 10 percent of them are actually signed into law. While some may pass through Congress rather quickly, others lead to lengthy hearings in the subcommittees or committees and protracted debates on the floor of the House and Senate. Few legislative proposals emerge from the process exactly as they were first written. 

Answer 2

The Congress makes laws. Despite promises made by presidential candidates, the President has no direct power to pass any legislation. This very important power lies solely with the House of Representatives and the Senate. Gridlock can happened when the legislative and the executive branches of Congress are led by different political parties. When coming to agreement on new legislation during these periods of divided government can sometimes be difficult. American voters can become frustrated by the inability of their leaders to move forward. This may even cause the U.S. government shout down, as it happened this year.