I.

Introduction

Legislative Branch, the lawmaking part of the United States government. The legislative branch includes the two chambers of the Congress of the United States—the Senate and the House of Representatives—and their staffs. The legislative branch passes bills that become law if they are signed by the president of the United States, who leads the executive branch. These laws are then subject to interpretation and constitutional review by the Supreme Court of the United States and other courts in the judicial branch.

The legislative branch also includes several smaller agencies. These provide research and administrative services to Congress or to the nation as a whole.

Article I of the Constitution of the United States defines the powers of Congress, which include several powers that set it apart from the executive and judicial branches. It has the power to set tax rates, authorize government spending, print and borrow money, and perform many other duties. In practice, however, these powers are exercised within a system of checks and balances that brings all three branches into play. For example, the president can propose and veto legislation. The Supreme Court can interpret laws and even void them if they conflict with the Constitution. Although the president and the Supreme Court can impose limits on congressional use of power, the other branches cannot usurp (take over) the special powers delegated to the legislative branch.