LAW 101

Who makes federal laws?

THERE are a total of three branches of government in the US and each play a role in passing federal laws.

Federal laws in the US are not passed by solely one person or elected official and must go through the checks and balances process.

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There are three branches of government involved in the legislative process in the United StatesCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Who makes federal laws?

Those responsible for making federal laws for the nation are the Unites States Congress, USA Gov reports.

Congress is also known as the legislative branch of the US government.

The two other branches are the judicial branch and the executive branch.

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate make up Congress as a whole.

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Any member of either the US Senate or the US House of Representatives is able to propose a new law.

In order to propose a new law, a bill must first be introduced to Congress.

Any law that is passed that is federal law is applicable to anyone living in the US or its territories.

Congress is responsible for creating and passing bills, while the duty of signing the bills into law falls on the executive branch.

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The executive branch is made up of the president and vice president of the US.

The judicial branch, made up of federal and state courts, reviews the laws to make sure they are constitutional.

If the federal courts deem that a law does not follow the constitution they can strike the law down.

Vetoing power is also a benefit that the president has, which means the president can refuse to approve a bill or joint resolution and prevent its enactment into law.

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The United States Capitol is located in Washington, DCCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Can Congress override a president's veto?

The president does not have unlimited power in the US, due to the three branches of government.

Although the president can veto a law, Congress has the authority to override presidential vetoes by two-thirds majorities of both houses.

The System of Checks and Balances has been around since 1787.

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On September 17, 1787, the official US Constitution was signed.

How many US senators are there?

The US Constitution states that there must be two senators from each state represented in the Senate.

There are a total of 50 states in the US, meaning there are a total of 100 members in the Senate.

A senator must be at least thirty years of age and have been a citizen of the United States for nine years.

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Once elected, they must also be a resident of the state which they have chosen.

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