What are the characteristics of congress that make it difficult for parties to fucntion

1. Members of congress are elected under a variety of conditions in a variety of constiuencies
2. Legislators have to protect their own careers, every (final) vote adds to voting record - although growing importance of fundraising may give parties more power
3. fragmentation fo power within congress - those who chair major committeess are going to have keys to power just like party leaders
4. THe intricacies of hte legislative process make it difficult for hte parites to function smoothy and effectively
   
   1. it must create majorities at several stages in the process, opponents only need a majority in one stage
5. Congressional party is a microcosm of hte party in teh electorate, and has same internal conflicts. Heavy stress is experienced by the coalition in power