Early members were serving single terms, but in the late 20th century, members can hold seats for decades. Modern Congressmen openly acknowledge the faults in Congress, and even campaign on the premise that they can make Congress more responsive. Representatives, who face reelection every two years are more responsive, and perhaps rush their legislative duties compared to the more liberal Senators, who with 6 year terms will tend to take greater consideration over their work. The differences of the members however, does make it difficult for a coherent program to flow through both houses. Congress is undoubtedly fragmented, and it is the committees that cause the greatest problems.
Committees are dominated by the majority party, so objectivity is rare.
The committee stage includes several veto points, and the fact that every committee is different gives chairpersons considerable power. Any legislation they dislike stands little chance of progressing, and the fact that legislation has to be filtered through further sub committees just adds to the incoherence of the process. Committees can have very narrow interests, and if they chose, leave legislation they dislike on the 'back burner' whilst they pass legislation they approve. The greatest problem of the committee stage however, is their power to significantly alter legislation. Committees can have a very distorting effect, legislation emerging can take a very different form to that which was submitted.