Party polarization affects legislative efficiency by creating significant divides between political parties, which can hinder collaboration and compromise. When party loyalty overrides bipartisan cooperation, achieving consensus on legislation becomes challenging, resulting in gridlock or increased partisanship. This polarization may lead to inefficiencies in the legislative process, as disputes over policies can prolong negotiations and stunt progress on pressing issues. Additionally, extreme polarization can result in a lack of trust among legislators, making it difficult to establish broad-based support for any legislative agenda.