What do we call laws passed by Congress?

• A. Regulations
• B. Statutes or acts
• C. Executive orders
• D. Judicial rulings

Answer: (B)

Laws that are passed by Congress are referred to as statutes or acts. This terminology is significant because it specifically denotes legislation that has been officially enacted through the law-making process, which includes proposals, discussions, and votes in both houses of Congress. Once a bill successfully passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is then sent to the President for approval or veto. If approved, it becomes a statute or act, thus officially becoming part of the law.

In contrast, regulations are rules made by executive agencies based on the authority granted to them by statutes, while executive orders are directives issued by the President to manage the operations of the federal government. Judicial rulings, on the other hand, refer to decisions made by courts that interpret laws but do not constitute laws themselves. Understanding this distinction is crucial in grasping how the legislative framework operates within the United States government.