Legal Definitions - federal statute

A federal statute is a law enacted by the United States Congress and signed into law by the President, or passed over a presidential veto. These laws apply throughout the entire country, establishing legal requirements, rights, and prohibitions that all states and individuals within the U.S. must follow.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: The Clean Air Act

  The Clean Air Act is a comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. It authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards to protect public health and the environment. This is a federal statute because it was passed by Congress to address a nationwide environmental concern, and its regulations and standards apply uniformly to all states and industries across the United States, not just within a single state.

• Example 2: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  The ADA is a federal civil rights law that 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. This is a federal statute because Congress enacted it to ensure equal opportunities and protect the rights of people with disabilities throughout the entire nation. Its provisions apply to employers, state and local governments, and businesses in every state, ensuring consistent protections across the country.

• Example 3: The Internal Revenue Code

  The Internal Revenue Code is the body of federal law that governs U.S. tax policy. It outlines the rules for income tax, corporate tax, estate tax, and other federal taxes, including how they are calculated, reported, and collected. This is a federal statute because it was created by Congress to establish a national system for taxation. All individuals and businesses in every state are subject to its provisions, demonstrating its nationwide applicability and authority.