Legislation which has passed both houses of Congress must ultimately be signed by whom?

• A. The Vice President
• B. The Speaker of the House
• C. The President
• D. The Chief Justice

Answer: (C)

Legislation that has successfully passed through both the House of Representatives and the Senate requires the signature of the President to become law. This process is outlined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes the legislative procedure for how bills are to be passed. Once both chambers of Congress agree on the language of a bill, it is sent to the President, who can either sign it into law, allow it to become law without a signature, or veto it.

The role of the President in this context is crucial because it gives the executive branch the ability to influence legislation. Should the bill be vetoed, Congress has the power to override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, thereby enacting the bill into law despite the President's objections. However, if the President signs the bill, it immediately becomes law and is enforceable.

Understanding this process is key in recognizing the checks and balances inherent in the U.S. political system, where the executive branch interacts with the legislative branch in the law-making process.