United States of America

Senate

Political system
Presidential system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
No

Law-making

Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities

Legislative activity

Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year
34
(2023)
Total number of laws adopted by Parliament in the previous legislature
328
(2023-01)

Notes: The US Congress does not have a mechanism for the Executive Branch to formally introduce legislation. All legislation is introduced by members of Congress.

Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by parliament
328
(2023-01)
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by the government
0
(2023-01)
Percentage of laws initiated by parliament in the previous legislature
100%
(2023-01)
Dates of the previous legislature
03 Jan 2021 to 03 Jan 2023
(2023-01)
Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation
The legislation cannot be adopted unless both chambers agree

Sources: Constitution, Article 1, Section 7

Executive-legislative relations

Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State
Yes

Sources: Constitution, Article 1, Section 7

Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year
Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation
The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination

Notes: Legislation is returned to Parliament, which can "overturn" the Head of State's decision with a 2/3rds vote in both chambers.

Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree
Not applicable

Existence of a procedure to introduce emergency legislation

There is a procedure for introducing emergency legislation into parliament
No

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No