Act of Congress

Act of Congress is a statute enacted by the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States. Acts of Congress are designated as either Public Laws, relating to the general public, or Private Laws, relating to specific institutions or individuals.

Introduction

An Act of Congress is a legislative bill that has been passed by both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and has been signed into law by the President of the United States, or has passed over his veto, or, if the President does not sign the bill within ten days, excluding Sundays, from the time any bill shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it.

Process

The process for the creation of an Act of Congress begins with a proposal by a legislator. This proposal can take the form of a bill, which is a proposal for a new law, or a joint resolution, which is a proposal for a law necessary to carry out an existing law or treaty. Bills and joint resolutions can be introduced by any member of either the House or the Senate.

Once a bill or joint resolution has been proposed, it is referred to a committee, which reviews the proposal and determines whether to put it to a vote. If the committee approves the proposal, it is sent to the floor of the House or Senate for debate and voting. If the proposal is approved by both the House and the Senate, it is sent to the President for approval.

If the President signs the proposal, it becomes an Act of Congress. If the President vetoes the proposal, it can still become an Act of Congress if two-thirds of the members of both the House and the Senate vote to override the veto.

Types of Acts

There are two types of Acts of Congress: public laws and private laws.

Public Laws apply to the general public and are therefore of general applicability. They are designated by the term "Public Law" followed by the number of the Congress and the number of the law (for example, Public Law 116-1).

Private Laws apply to specific individuals or institutions rather than to the general public. They are designated by the term "Private Law" followed by the number of the Congress and the number of the law (for example, Private Law 116-1).

See also

• List of Acts of the United States Congress
• United States Statutes at Large
• United States Code