The Legislative branch is in charge of making laws. It is made up of the Congress and several Government agencies. Congress has two parts. The house of Representatives and the senate are voted into office by American citizens in each state. There are currently 100 senators. The Government publishing office and Library of Congress are examples of Government agencies in the legislative branch. These agencies support the Congress. All legislative power in the government is vested in Congress, meaning that it is the only part of the government that can make new laws or chasing existing laws. Executive Branch agencies issue regulations with the full force of law, but these are only under the authority of laws enacted by Congress. The President may veto bills Congress passes, but Congress may also override a veto by two-thirds veto in both the senate and the house of Representatives. Oversight of the executive branch is an important Congressional check on the president's power and a balance against his discretion in implementing laws and making regulations. A major way Congress conducted oversight is through hearing. The house Committee on oversight and Government Reform and the senate committee on Homeland security and Government Affairs are both devoted to overseeing and reforming government operations , and each committee conducts oversight in its policy area.

Congress also maintains an investigative organization, the Government Accounting office. Founded in 1921 as the General According office, its original mission was to audit the budgets and financial statements sent to congress by the secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the office of management and budget. Today the GAO audits and generates reports on every aspect of the government, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are American people deserve. The executive branch also polices itself sixty-four inspectors General, each responsible for different agency, regularly audit and report on the agencies to which they are attached.