Because of Grover Norquist and his organization (ironically named Americans for Tax Reform). Their "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" taken by most Republican lawmakers (95% before 2012), locks them into supporting his policies. The problem is that he views any attempt to simplify tax filing just like a tax increase (presumably since people will be less upset about paying their taxes), and uses his influence to lobby against reforms like this.
It's true that the Democratic caucuses, both federal and state level, are much harder to hold together. Every year there's a bill in my state to reign in pay day lenders. Basically banning usury level interest rates on loans. Overwhelming popular support (~80%) and editorial support.
And every year there's a "blue dog" Democrat living in a purple district which bends to the pro pay day loan lobbyists.
Vetocracy is a tough problem. Our civic legacy is to fear the mob, tyranny of the majority. (Thanks Plato.) So it's rare that mere popular support ( >60%) is sufficient to attain progress.
So, to your point, mere 50% + 1 vote ain't ever enough.
Making payday lending illegal will push poor people who desperately need the cash to seek it from organized crime instead.
There’s a reason those bills get stopped and killed. They sound good on their face, but when you dig into the details they harm the people they’re supposed to help.
>Democrats had filibuster proof majority when Obama was president.
For 2 years. And spent basically the entire time barely getting ACA through. Not a lot of "political capital" leftover for battling to have free tax filing.
Why are you just blaming Republicans?