legislature
Legislature is a political body that is responsible for creating and amending laws through legislation. Beyond creating laws, legislatures are typically also responsible for creating and managing budgets for their respective government, regulating taxation, voting for and confirming government appointments, passing resolutions, and advocating for their constituents, among other oversight duties. Legislatures exist at all government levels, from city/local representatives, state legislatures, and federal legislature. There are two types of legislatures, bicameral or unicameral. Bicameral consists of two houses or chambers, while unicameral consists of a single house or chamber.
In the United States, the federal legislature is the United States Congress, a bicameral assembly. Congress currently has 535 elected representatives; 100 members in the Senate and 435 in the House of Representatives. Congress is primarily responsible for creating laws by drafting, debating, and voting on Bills, that are then signed into action by the President. The New York State Legislature is also bicameral, consisting of the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate. Nebraska is an example of a unicameral legislature.
The United Kingdom’s parliament is another well-known legislature. Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the lower House of Commons and the upper House of Lords. The House of Commons is elected by UK citizens, and the House of Lords is appointed by the King based on the Prime Minister’s advice.
[Last reviewed in March of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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