Gavin Howe
The United States Congress has enacted a large number of laws since its inception. Since World War II, Congress has typically enacted 4-6 million words of new laws every two years. In total, Congress has passed between 200 and 600 statutes during each of its 119 biennial terms, resulting in over 30,000 statutes since 1789. These laws cover a wide range of topics, including taxation, transportation, health and human services, and more. The law-making process involves various steps, including committee review, input from government agencies, and presidential approval or veto.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of statutes enacted by Congress since 1789 | More than 30,000 |
| Number of statutes enacted by Congress biennially | 200-600 |
| Number of words in new laws enacted biennially | 4-6 million |
| Number of sessions per Congress | 2-4 |
| Number of committees with authority to review and study laws | 119 |
| Number of ways legislation can be enacted | 3 |
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What You'll Learn
Congress has enacted 200-600 statutes per term
Congress has enacted approximately 200–600 statutes during each of its biennial terms, resulting in over 30,000 statutes since 1789. This translates to 4-6 million words of new law in each two-year Congress, with the number of bills enacted into law generally decreasing over time.
The legislative process in the United States involves several steps. It begins with the introduction of bills and resolutions, typically early in the session. These proposals are then reviewed by standing committees, excluding the Committee on Appropriations, which possess special authority under House rules for minority staff appointments. Committees seek input from relevant departments, agencies, and the Government Accountability Office to assess the necessity and desirability of enacting a bill into law. While these reports are considered, they are not binding on the committee's decision to support or oppose a bill.
The next step is for the bills to be enacted into law. This can occur through several mechanisms:
- Signed by the President
- Veto overridden by Congress
- Via the 10-day rule (excluding money bills)
- Joint resolutions, which require identical resolving clauses in both the House and Senate, become law similarly to bills
It is worth noting that legislation tends to be enacted in the final quarter of the session, indicating a concentration of legislative activity towards the end of the two-year Congressional term.
The legislative process also includes the review and study of existing laws and programs created by Congress. Committees with oversight responsibility examine the effectiveness of laws and programs within their jurisdiction, determining whether they should be continued, modified, or terminated. This ongoing process ensures that laws and programs align with Congressional intent and can lead to the consideration of new or additional legislation as needed.
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Acts of Congress are published in the US Statutes at Large
Congress enacts 4-6 million words of new law in each two-year congressional session. These laws are codified every six years in the United States Code, but the Statutes at Large remains the official source of legislation. The Statutes at Large is the permanent collection of all laws, both public and private, enacted during each session of Congress. Acts of Congress are designated as either public laws, relating to the general public, or private laws, relating to specific institutions or individuals. Public laws are often abbreviated as "Pub. L. No. X–Y", where X refers to the Congress number and Y refers to the sequential order of the bill. For example, P. L. 111–5 (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) was the fifth enacted public law of the 111th United States Congress.
The Statutes at Large also includes the text of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, amendments to the Constitution, treaties with Indians and foreign nations, and presidential proclamations. A citation to the Statutes at Large begins with the volume number and the page number of the volume. For example, "26 Stat. 8 (1890)" refers to Volume 26, page 8. The Statutes at Large can be browsed by session, congress, and date.
An act of Congress becomes law when a bill passes through both houses of Congress with a majority and is then either signed into law by the president, left unsigned for ten days (excluding Sundays) while Congress is in session, or receives a congressional override from two-thirds of both houses if vetoed by the president. Once a bill becomes law, the president or relevant presiding officer delivers the act to the archivist of the United States, who provides for its publication as a slip law and in the United States Statutes at Large.
Through the process of judicial review, an act of Congress that violates the Constitution may be declared unconstitutional by the courts. However, such a declaration does not remove the act from the Statutes at Large or the United States Code; it only prevents the act from being enforced. The act as published in annotated codes and legal databases is marked with annotations to indicate that it is no longer good law.
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The number of bills passed doesn't reflect legislative work
Since World War II, Congress has typically enacted 4-6 million words of new law in each two-year congressional session. However, the number of bills passed does not reflect the legislative work that goes into creating them. The legislative process is complex and involves multiple stages and stakeholders.
Firstly, the creation of a bill involves significant research and drafting. Members of Congress may propose bills based on their election campaigns, the need to amend or repeal existing laws, or the input and petitions received from their constituents. State legislatures can also memorialize Congress to enact specific federal laws. Once a bill is drafted, it is submitted to the relevant departments, agencies, and the Government Accountability Office for review and input. These reports are carefully considered, but they are not binding on the committee's decision to act on the bill.
Secondly, the legislative process involves multiple committees and stakeholders. Each standing committee, except the Committee on Appropriations, is responsible for reviewing and studying the effectiveness of laws within its jurisdiction. They also assess the need for new legislation and undertake future research. The Committee on Appropriations has special authority for staff appointments, and their input is crucial in the legislative process.
Additionally, the legislative process involves both the House and the Senate, which have different rules and procedures. In the House, certain measures can be considered under the "hour rule," which limits debate time. The Speaker can also postpone votes and make determinations on the dilatory nature of motions. In the Senate, unanimous consent is often sought for immediate consideration of a bill. If there is no objection, the bill may pass with little debate. However, if there is an objection, the bill must be placed on the calendar and considered after a specific period.
Furthermore, the enactment of a bill into law involves several paths. A bill can become law if it is signed by the President, enacted via a veto override, or through the 10-day rule. Joint resolutions, except for proposed constitutional amendments, become law in the same way as bills. About half of all legislation is enacted in the final quarter of the congressional session, indicating a rush of activity towards the end.
In conclusion, while the number of bills passed may seem like a straightforward metric, it does not capture the intricate legislative work involved in creating laws. The process is dynamic and involves multiple stakeholders, committees, and procedural rules. The research, drafting, review, and consideration stages are all critical aspects of lawmaking, even if they are not directly reflected in the final tally of passed bills. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of Congress's legislative work extends beyond the number of bills enacted into law.
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The Committee on Appropriations has special authority
The number of laws created by Congress is difficult to pinpoint, as they typically enact 4-6 million words of new law in each two-year congressional cycle. However, the Committee on Appropriations stands out for its special authority and influence over federal spending.
The Committee on Appropriations was established on December 11, 1865, when the responsibilities of the Committee on Ways and Means were divided into three parts. The new committee was tasked with the power to appropriate money and control federal spending. This authority is derived from a provision in the U.S. Constitution, which states, "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law." This constitutional basis grants the committee significant power and responsibility over the nation's financial resources.
The Committee's broad jurisdiction allows it to oversee all discretionary spending of the federal government and review how federal tax dollars are spent. It decides how much funding each authorized federal agency and program receives through annual appropriations bills. This process involves 12 subcommittees, each responsible for different areas of discretionary spending. The Defense Subcommittee, for example, manages about half of the discretionary budget. The committee's work results in various funding measures, including regular appropriations and continuing resolutions that bridge the gap between fiscal years.
The Committee on Appropriations is widely recognized as one of the "power committees" due to its control over spending. Its members are influential, and their decisions shape national priorities and ensure responsible use of federal funds. The committee's role in disbursing funds has become even more critical as the federal budget has increased over time. Its ability to allocate resources and shape spending makes it a crucial player in the legislative process, with a unique authority among congressional committees.
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Most executive branch rules must originate in Congress
The United States Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. All legislative power in the government is vested in Congress, meaning that it is the only part of the government that can make new laws or change existing ones. Congress typically enacts 4-6 million words of new law in each two-year session.
The Executive Branch, on the other hand, is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress. The power of the Executive Branch is vested in the President of the United States, who acts as the head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President has the power to sign legislation into law or veto bills enacted by Congress. However, Congress may override a veto with a two-thirds vote of both houses.
While the President cannot write new statutes, they can issue executive orders, which direct executive officers or clarify and further existing laws. Executive orders cannot override federal laws and statutes, which must be passed by Congress and signed by the President. For example, Congress can declare a certain drug legal or illegal, but the President can use an executive order to tell the Department of Justice whether prosecuting certain drug cases is a priority.
Congress also maintains oversight of the Executive Branch through hearings and investigative organisations such as the Government Accountability Office (GAO). This oversight is an important check on the President's power and a balance against their discretion in implementing laws and making regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Congress has enacted approximately 200–600 statutes during each of its 119 biennial terms, meaning more than 30,000 statutes have been enacted since 1789.
Since World War II, Congress has enacted 4-6 million words of new law in each two-year Congress.
Each Congress has two to four sessions. Under the numbering system used from 1789 until 1957, the Acts in each session are numbered sequentially as Chapters. This numbering includes laws applicable to the general public and those relating to specific individuals.
