Which body is responsible for making federal laws?

Congress is the body responsible for making federal laws in the United States. It is a bicameral legislature, consisting of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Members of Congress propose bills, which are then debated and voted on in both chambers. If both chambers approve the bill, it must then be sent to the President for approval or veto.

Understanding the role of Congress in lawmaking is crucial because it reflects the legislative authority granted by the Constitution. The founding fathers intended for Congress to be the primary law-making body, ensuring that laws are created through a democratic process that involves representation of the people. This fundamental structure emphasizes the separation of powers and the checks and balances that are integral to the U.S. government system.

In contrast, state legislatures are responsible for making state laws, the Supreme Court interprets laws rather than creates them, and the President’s role is primarily to enforce laws and manage the executive branch, though they also have the power to veto legislation passed by Congress.