Which branch is primarily responsible for creating laws?

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

Answer: (B)

Creating laws is the job of the legislative branch. This branch, made up of elected representatives, drafts, debates, amends, and votes on proposed laws. In the United States, Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives—originates bills and must approve them in both chambers before they can become law. After both houses pass a bill, it goes to the executive to sign into law or veto; only then does it take legal effect. The executive branch enforces laws, the judiciary interprets them, and administrative agencies implement and regulate them. So the essential activity is lawmaking—which is the legislative branch.