The Legislature: Definition and Historical Background

- Click here for the wiki.

I try to do two things in this section. First I discuss a few general items about the legislative branch just so we are clear about what it is and what it does. The simple story is that it is the branch responsible for making the laws, but it also has the power of the purse and is responsible for keeping the executive - as well as the judiciary - in check. Since you may or may not have a familiarity with Congress, this is designed to give you enough so you don;t feel lost when we get into specifics. Second I walk through the gradual development of legislative power in Britain and spend special attention to the events that led to the specific design of the Congress as designed in the Constitution, which of course sets us up for a walk through of Article One.

Relevant - more or less - posts:

- 114th Congress.
- Congress.
- House of Commons.
- House of Lords.
- Parliament.