Who makes federal laws?

The process of creating federal laws in the United States is primarily the responsibility of Congress. Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government and is bicameral, consisting of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Members of Congress propose, debate, and vote on legislation, which can then be signed into law by the President or overridden by Congress if the President vetoes it.

The role of Congress in law-making is rooted in the U.S. Constitution, specifically Article I, which outlines the structure, powers, and responsibilities of this legislative body. By having Congress as the sole authority on federal law creation, the system ensures checks and balances within the government, as law-making is distinct from the executive and judicial functions held by the President and the Supreme Court, respectively. The President can influence legislation and has the power to approve or veto it, but the initiation and passage of laws are fundamentally a Congressional responsibility. Similarly, while the Supreme Court interprets laws and can nullify those that it finds unconstitutional, it does not have the authority to create laws. The Cabinet, made up of the heads of executive departments, advises the President and carries out laws, but they are not involved in the law-making process itself.