the.com/legislature
a building full of adults arguing about commas that decide your entire life
means The branch of government, usually an elected assembly, that makes, amends, and repeals the laws of a country, state, or other jurisdiction.
from From Latin legis (the genitive of lex, 'law') joined to a root meaning 'to bring forward' or 'to propose' — the same lego/latum family that gives us 'legislate' and 'legislator.' The word entered English in the 17th century, built to name the lawmaking body itself, the place where law is, quite literally, 'carried forward.' A close relative of 'legal,' 'legitimate,' and 'legacy' — all children of lex, the law.
- word origin
- Latin for the carrying of laws
- bicameral logic
- two houses so each can blame the other
- filibuster record
- one US senator spoke over 24 hours straight
- dead laws
- unrepealed statutes still ban absurd ancient things
- per diem
- many lawmakers paid daily just to show up
united states congress — 538 members (435 house, 100 senate, 3 dc) meeting in capitol building, washington
european parliament — 705 meps representing 27 eu member states, seats in strasbourg and brussels
indian parliament — lok sabha (545 members) and rajya sabha (245 members) in new delhi, world's largest legislature
uk house of commons — 650 elected members meeting in palace of westminster, london since 1295