U.S. Federal Law

A U.S. Federal Law is a national law that applies within the United States of America.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) be created through a process outlined in the United States Constitution, including drafting, discussion, modification, and ratification.
    • which typically both houses of the United States Congress and signed by the President of the United States, or passed over the President's veto, and therefore applies across the entire United States.
  • It can range from being a U.S. Federal Taxation Law, U.S. Federal Criminal Law, and U.S. Federal Civil Rights Law.
  • It can (often) be enforced by Federal Agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • A Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
  • An Affordable Care Act, which reformed healthcare and insurance industries.
  • A U.S. Patriot Act, enacted in response to the September 11 attacks, which expanded law enforcement's surveillance and investigative powers.
  • A U.S. Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), 2021.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • A U.S. State Law, such as a California state law governing emissions standards, which applies only within California.
  • A Municipal Ordinance in New York City, which is not a federal law but a local law.
• See: Legislative Process in the United States, United States Congress, Supremacy Clause.