Act of Congress

A statute enacted by the United States Congress

An Act of Congress is a statute enacted by the United States Congress. It can either be a public law, which applies to the general public, or a private law, which applies to specific individuals or entities. Acts of Congress are a primary source of law in the United States and are a key component of the federal government's legislative process.

Legislative Process

The process of creating an Act of Congress begins with the introduction of a bill in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. The bill is then assigned to a committee for study and recommendation. If the committee approves the bill, it is sent back to the floor of the respective chamber for debate and voting.

If the bill passes one chamber, it is sent to the other chamber, where it undergoes a similar process. If both chambers approve the bill, it is sent to the President of the United States for approval. The President can either sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action. If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

Types of Acts

Acts of Congress can be classified into two main types:

Public Laws

Public laws are statutes that apply to the general public. They address issues of national importance and are codified in the United States Code. Examples include laws related to taxation, healthcare, and national defense.

Private Laws

Private laws are statutes that apply to specific individuals or entities. They are less common than public laws and often address issues such as immigration cases or claims against the government. Private laws are not included in the United States Code.

Enactment and Codification

Once an Act of Congress is signed into law, it is assigned a public law number or a private law number, depending on its type. Public laws are published in the Statutes at Large and later codified in the United States Code. Private laws are also published in the Statutes at Large but are not codified.

Significance

Acts of Congress are significant because they reflect the will of the legislative branch and have the force of law. They can create new programs, modify existing laws, and allocate funding for government operations. Acts of Congress are subject to judicial review and can be challenged in the federal courts if they are believed to violate the Constitution of the United States.

Related pages

• Bill (law)
• United States Congress
• Public law
• Private law
• United States Code

Gallery

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  Private Law 86-407

• Page 212 from Statute 73, Public Law 86-90