What Is the Purpose of the Legislative Branch?
The legislative branch of any government exists to create, amend and repeal laws that provide structure and order to a society. In the United States, it is called the Congress. According to Article 1 of the Constitution, only Congress may enact legislation or declare war.
The duties of the U.S. government are divided among three separate branches: the legislative, the executive and the judicial. Each branch interacts with the others through a system of checks and balances. Congress contains the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each chamber has different areas of concentration, but each must agree on the final form of a bill in order for it to be sent to the president to be enacted into law. Congress also has the power to form investigative bodies and confirm presidential appointments.
