Legal Definitions - act of Congress

An act of Congress refers to a law that has been formally created and enacted by the United States Congress, in accordance with the powers granted to it by the U.S. Constitution. For a proposal to become an act of Congress, it must typically be approved by a majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. After passing both chambers, it is then presented to the President of the United States. If the President signs it, or allows it to become law without a signature, it officially becomes an act of Congress. If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can still make it law by overriding the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers. Once enacted, an act of Congress has the full force of federal law across the United States.

• Example 1: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and subsequently signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. This landmark legislation prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. It is an act of Congress because it successfully navigated the full legislative process, receiving approval from both congressional chambers and the President, thereby establishing a nationwide federal law.

• Example 2: The Clean Water Act

  The Clean Water Act, originally enacted in 1972, is another prime example. This law established the basic structure for regulating pollutant discharges into U.S. waters and gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to implement pollution control programs. It became an act of Congress after being debated, revised, and passed by both the House and Senate, and then signed by President Richard Nixon. Its passage created a comprehensive federal framework for protecting and restoring the nation's water quality.

• Example 3: The CARES Act

  In response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020. This extensive package provided financial relief to individuals, businesses, and state and local governments. It quickly moved through both the House and Senate, receiving overwhelming bipartisan support, and was signed into law by President Donald Trump. As a result of this legislative process, the CARES Act became a temporary but significant act of Congress, deploying federal resources to address an urgent national crisis.