Final answer:
The Legislative Branch, or Congress, in the United States is composed of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. It has the exclusive authority to make laws and controls the federal budget through the appropriations process. It also oversees government through entities like the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Step-by-step explanation:
Congress or Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch, often known as Congress in the United States, is one of the three main branches of the government. It holds the all-important authority to create laws that impact the entire nation. According to Article I, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, the legislative power is vested exclusively in Congress, which is a bicameral institution consisting of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Senate is based on equal representation, with each state having two senators, while the House of Representatives is based on population, with larger states having more representatives. Both chambers must approve a bill for it to become law. The bicameral system was designed as a compromise to balance the interests of states with varying populations and to ensure thorough debate and consideration of laws.
Congress has additional important roles, such as controlling the federal budget through the appropriations process, and overseeing federal agencies to ensure they operate efficiently and in accordance with the law. This is done through different support entities like the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Library of Congress. The GAO, known as the congressional watchdog, examines government expenditures, while the Library of Congress offers research support to legislators among other functions.