Play video

Overview of Sources of Federal Law

Learn about what makes up the body of federal law and how it is generated.

Transcript

I. Introduction

Several sources of federal law exist. The primary source is, of course, the Constitution. Treaties to which the United States is a signatory also constitute applicable law. As previously mentioned, Congress enacts federal statutes, and administrative agencies adopt administrative rules. And finally, federal courts issue decisions that become part of the body of law.

II. The Constitution

The Constitution is the fundamental source of American law. It provides for the basic...

Lessons

    • 1. Welcome
    • Welcome
    2. Federal Systems of Legislation & Regulation
    • The Federal Constitutional System of Legislation and Regulation
    • Overview of Sources of Federal Law
    • The Constitution and Legislative Power
    3. Federal Legislative Processes
    • How a Bill Becomes a Law
    • Delegation of Congressional Lawmaking Power to Agencies I
    • Delegation of Congressional Lawmaking and Judicial Power to Agencies II
    4. Statutory Interpretation
    • Philosophical Views of the Judiciary’s Role and Common Interpretive Problems
    • Differing Theories of Statutory Interpretation
    • Legislative History and its Use in Interpreting Statutes
    • Canons of Statutory Interpretation I
    • Canons of Statutory Interpretation II
    • Canons of Statutory Interpretation III
    • Canons of Statutory Interpretation IV
    5. Agency Action, State Processes, & Courts
    • The History and Evolution of the Administrative State
    • Federal Regulatory Processes
    • Executive Branch Control of Agencies and Judicial Review of Agency Action
    • Judicial Review of Agency Action Under the APA
    • State Legislative & Administrative Processes
    • Judicial Process