Final answer:
The legislative branch, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives, is responsible for writing bills and voting on them to become laws. This branch operates under a bicameral legislature system and plays a key role in the government's system of checks and balances as outlined by the U.S. Constitution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The branch of government responsible for writing bills and deciding whether they should become laws is the legislative branch. In the United States, this branch is composed of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives, together known as Congress. The process of creating laws is a detailed one, beginning with a bill's introduction, usually in the House for revenue-related proposals, followed by discussion, amendments, and voting in both chambers. If a bill is approved by both the House and Senate, it proceeds to the President for signature or veto.
The bicameral legislature, established as a compromise at the Constitutional Convention, is designed to ensure that different perspectives are considered before a bill becomes law. The House of Representatives and the Senate must both agree on the exact text of a bill for it to proceed. This system of checks and balances prevents any single branch from holding too much power. Furthermore, the President has the power to veto legislation, but Congress can override this veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both houses.
Article I, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution clearly outlines the legislative branch's power to make laws, signifying its foundational role in the governance of the nation. The legislative process includes essential checks and balances to ensure the fair and responsible creation of laws.