We’ve had a busy month at the LegisLedger, and your questions have been pouring in. We’ve selected four of the most frequent inquiries from our readers to help pull back the curtain on how things actually work under the Capitol dome.

— A reader from Ohio

A: Think of a continuing resolution (CR) as a "stopgap" measure. When Congress and the President cannot agree on and pass the 12 regular appropriations bills before the new fiscal year begins on October 1st, they pass a CR to keep the government running.

A CR typically continues the prior year’s funding levels for a specific period of time (days, weeks, or months). This prevents a government shutdown while providing lawmakers more time to negotiate a final, long-term budget agreement.

Source: https://crsreports.congress.gov/

— Marcus

A: The process is a long road often called "the legislative gauntlet." It begins when a Member of Congress introduces a bill. It is then referred to a committee, where it is researched, debated, and often changed. If the committee approves it, the bill moves to the full chamber (House or Senate) for a vote.

For a bill to reach the President’s desk, it must pass both the House and the Senate in the exact same form. If the President signs it, it becomes law. If the President vetoes it, Congress can attempt to override that veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.

Source: https://www.congress.gov/help/learn-about-the-legislative-process

A: While both chambers must agree on legislation, they were designed to serve different purposes. The House of Representatives is the "peoples' house," with 435 members distributed by state population. Members serve two-year terms, making them more sensitive to immediate public opinion.

The Senate consists of 100 members (two per state) serving six-year terms, intended to be a more stable, deliberative body. The Senate also has unique powers, such as the "advice and consent" role, which means they must confirm presidential appointments (like Cabinet members or judges) and ratify treaties.

Source: https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-reemergence/senate-vs-house.htm

— A reader from California

A: Under the U.S. Constitution, only the Legislative Branch (Congress) has the power to make federal laws. However, the other two branches play critical roles in the lifecycle of a law.

The Executive Branch (the President and federal agencies) carries out and enforces the laws. The Judicial Branch (the Supreme Court and lower federal courts) interprets the laws and determines if they are constitutional. This system of "checks and balances" ensures that no single branch holds absolute power over the legal system.

Source: https://www.usa.gov/branches-of-government

We want to hear from you! Whether you're curious about committee hearings or how a filibuster works, just send your question to [[email protected]].