How do constitutional restrictions hinder the effective and efficient operation of government?

Answer 1

One way in which constitutional restrictions hinder the effective and efficient operation of our government is passing laws. For a law to be passed a bill needs to be introduced by a Senator or a Representative. The next step is committee action. In this process they usually hold a hearing, and mark up, where they will look at the wording of the bill and change it around a little. Then it needs to be voted on. (This is where most bills die.) If it happens to pass, it goes to the rules committee who decide when the bill will come up for debate. Next is the floor action where the house debates the bill and may amend it. If a majority of the house votes in favor of the bill it is moved to the Senate. A Senator introduces the bill, which is again sent to a committee. This committee takes action in the same procedure as the House; if it gets the majority of the votes it is moved to the whole Senate. The majority floor leader decides when the whole Senate will consider the bill and the bill is debated, when more amendments may be added. If the majority votes in favor of the bill, it is returned to the House. The House has the opportunity to reject any of the changes and the bill is sent to a conference committee of member from both houses where they compromise on the bill. Both houses must approve changes made by the conference committee. Only after all this happens the bill goes to the president. The president may approve or reject the bill. If he approves it it is now a law. Constitutional restrictions hinder the effective and efficient operation because certain policies and proposals must go through several decision making organizations. This process is needed for the "checks and balances."