Which branch of government makes laws?

• A. Judicial
• B. Legislative
• C. Executive
• D. Administrative

Answer: (B)

The idea here is separation of powers and the specific role each branch plays. Making laws is the job of the Legislative branch. In the United States, Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives—drafts, debates, and votes on bills. For a bill to become law, it must pass both houses and then be signed by the President or allowed to become law without a signature; Congress can sometimes override a presidential veto with a sufficient majority. This lawmaking process is what defines the Legislative branch’s function. The Judicial branch interprets laws and resolves disputes over what they mean, while the Executive branch enforces laws through the President and federal agencies. Administrative functions are not a separate constitutional branch, even though many tasks are carried out by agencies within the Executive.