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legislative branch
[ lej-is-ley-tiv branch ]
legislative branch
- 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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Word History and Origins
Origin of legislative branch1
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Example Sentences
Republicans and Democrats have equal distrust for the legislative branch, no matter who is running the show.
The legislative branch can invent deadline after deadline after deadline.
The filibuster is intended to be a great tool of moderation in the legislative branch.
McCarthyism was the norm: a threat to democracy laid to rest by the legislative branch of the American government.
They were not ratified by the U.S. Congress until President Obama convinced the legislative branch to do so.
The State legislature or legislative branch is called the General Assembly.
The same legislative branch acts again as executive council of the governor, and with him constitutes the Court of Appeals.
The supremacy of the legislative branch had been obtained by an extra-legal political device.
In like manner we have been equally watchful in the legislative branch of the government.
The legislative branch is represented by a national congress of two houses—a Senate and Chamber of Deputies.
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