The legislative arm of government is responsible for making laws within a country. It is one of the three branches of government, along with the executive and judicial branches. Legislatures are made up of people called legislators who, in democracies, are elected by the country’s population. The legislative branch of government has the authority to pass legislation and regulate government taxation and spending, as well as other powers such as approving executive or judicial appointments. In the United States, the legislative branch of government is called Congress, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, both of which are elected and possess roughly equal legislative powers. In the United Kingdom, the legislature operates somewhat differently, with the Parliament consisting of two chambers, the House of Commons and House of Lords, only the former is elected by the people, whilst the latter is mostly appointed by the Prime Minister. Legislatures may be unicameral or bicameral, and their powers may include passing laws, establishing the government’s budget, confirming executive appointments, ratifying treaties, investigating the executive branch, impeaching and removing from office members of the executive and judiciary, and redressing constituents’ grievances.