legislative branch

American  

[lej-is-ley-tiv branch] / ˈlɛdʒ ɪsˌleɪ tɪv ˌbræntʃ /

noun

1. the branch of government having the power to make laws; the legislature.

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legislative branch Cultural  

1. The branch of the federal and state government empowered to make the laws that are then enforced by the executive branch and interpreted by the judicial branch. The legislative branch consists of Congress and the fifty state legislatures. At both state and federal levels, legislatures are made up of popularly elected representatives, who propose laws that are sensitive to the needs and interests of their local constituents. After a law is proposed as a bill, it is sent to appropriate committees for several stages of discussion, research, and modification. It is then debated in both legislative houses — except in Nebraska, which has a single-house legislature — and put to a vote. If the law is passed, it is still subject to further modification and final vote by both houses. Under the system of checks and balances, the president can refuse to sign the bill into law (through the veto power). The legislature can then vote to override the veto. Other checks and balances include legislative powers to impeach public officials (see impeachment), confirm appointments to the executive and judicial branches, and vote on appropriations.

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Etymology

Origin of legislative branch

First recorded in 1725–35

Example Sentences

While some early presidents, notably Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln, expanded the executive branch, most were constrained by the dominance of the legislative branch in their day.

From Salon

The move comes as members of Congress have called for the justices, who have long faced less stringent reporting requirements, to be held to ethics standards similar to those for the executive and legislative branches.

From New York Times

The revisions come after years of pressure from members of Congress, who say the judiciary should follow ethics guidelines closer to those that apply to the executive and legislative branches.

From Washington Post

Experts say the incident highlights a contested area of executive and legislative branch authorities, one that has never been settled in U.S. courts.

From Washington Post

There is also no clear separation between the executive and legislative branches and no federalist system that delegates certain powers to states or provinces.

From New York Times