What usually happens to most bills sent to committee?

Most bills sent to committee typically do not progress beyond that stage. Committees serve as a crucial filtering mechanism within the legislative process, allowing legislators to review, debate, and refine proposed legislation. However, a significant number of bills do not receive further consideration after being introduced into a committee due to various reasons, such as time constraints, lack of priority, or insufficient support. This often leads to bills being effectively "set aside" and ultimately not advancing, which is commonly referred to as "dying" in committee.

The legislative process is complex, and many bills are introduced annually, making it impractical for every bill to be fully debated or voted on. Committees prioritize certain legislation based on their agendas and the political climate, resulting in numerous bills simply not being acted upon, which emphasizes the essential role committees play in deciding which legislation moves forward in the process.