Why was Great Britain's distance from America considered a weakness?

Because of the transport of people and goods.

Explanation:

Britain's distance from North America in the early decades of colonization was a problem. The trip lasted in certain situations for longer than two months. Often a large number of people were killed on those trips. Such a situation lasted until the middle of the XIX century, i.e., until the Industrial Revolution. Putting the steamer into use was much easier, and the travel time was significantly shortened.

they usually pass federal laws

and sometimes in the elections of the president