What is the structure and purpose of the legislative branch?
The legislative branch is made up of the House and Senate, known collectively as the Congress. Among other powers, the legislative branch makes all laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies.
Why is the legislative branch divided?
To balance the interests of both the small and large states, the Framers of the Constitution divided the power of Congress between the two houses. Every state has an equal voice in the Senate, while representation in the House of Representatives is based on the size of each state’s population.
What are five facts about the legislative branch?
There are 100 senators in the Senate, two from each state. Senators are elected by their states and serve six-year terms. Both parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives elect leaders. The leader of the party that controls the house is called the majority leader.
Who is part of the legislative branch?
Established by Article I of the Constitution, the Legislative Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress.
What are the 5 limits of the legislative branch?
Terms in this set (7)
- Congress cannot Pass Laws. that violate the constitution.
- Congress cannot favor one state. over another.
- Congress cannot tax. exports.
- Congress cannot pass laws that. violate the constitution.
- Congress cannot suspend. writs of habeas corpus.
- Congress cannot pass bills of. attainder.
- Congress cannot pass.
How are checks and balances used today?
Checks and balances operate throughout the U.S. government, as each branch exercises certain powers that can be checked by the powers given to the other two branches. Within the legislative branch, each house of Congress serves as a check on possible abuses of power by the other.