U.S. Federal Government
Legislative Branch: Congress
Congress writes legislation (bills) and votes on whether those bills become law. Bills often go through many revisions in both the House of Representatives and the Senate before reaching the form that is passed and becomes legally binding. Congress may solicit testimony from experts and members of groups who might be impacted by a law during the drafting process. The federal laws currently in force are compiled in a document known as the U.S. Code.
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ProQuest Congressional Publications This link opens in a new windowInformation about and by U.S. Congress, including hearings, reports, documents, legislative histories, and the Congressional Record.
Executive Branch: President + Agencies
The President and the agencies they oversee enforce the laws of the United States. Sometimes this enforcement looks like stereotypical law enforcement (for example, FBI agents investigating someone who has broken a federal law). But often it involves agencies creating regulations that provide specific detailed guidance on how individuals and entities should follow laws.
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Hein Online - Law and Government This link opens in a new windowFor executive branch information, see especially the federal register and code of federal regulations.
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A-Z Directory of AgenciesIdentify federal agencies and find their websites.
Judicial Branch: Federal Courts
The judicial branch interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual cases, and decides if laws violate the Constitution.