Gridlock is measured against proposals that could plausibly change policy, not by counting only enacted bills. A Congress can pass many minor measures while remaining unable to act on its central conflicts, or enact one major compromise after long delay.

Multiple pivots can preserve the status quo: a committee, chamber majority, Senate cloture coalition, second chamber, or president may reject change. Polarization and divided control widen bargaining differences, while crises or broad public agreement can narrow them.

Failure to enact can reflect constitutional design, strategic obstruction, or genuine disagreement about whether change is desirable. Gridlock therefore has no automatic democratic verdict. Identify the blocked coalition and veto point before attributing the result to one party or procedure.

Video lesson: How a Bill Becomes a Law: Crash Course Government and Politics #9