Which body is typically referred to as the legislative branch?

The legislative branch is primarily responsible for making laws, and in the United States, this function is carried out by Congress. Congress is a bicameral body, meaning it has two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Together, these chambers have the authority to draft, debate, and enact legislation that governs the nation.

The Senate is part of Congress, but it does not represent the entirety of the legislative branch on its own; it is simply one half of Congress. The Supreme Court, being part of the judicial branch, interprets laws rather than creating them. The President is part of the executive branch and is responsible for enforcing laws but does not have a role in creating them. Therefore, pointing to Congress encapsulates the entirety of the legislative branch and underscores its role in the law-making process.