Refers to laws passed by both houses of Congress (the House of Representatives and Senate) that have been approved by the president (or vetoed but overridden by Congress).
Related terms
Legislation: The process of creating, passing, and enacting laws by a legislative body such as Congress.
Bill: A proposed law that is in the early stages of consideration by Congress before it becomes an act.
Veto: When the president refuses to sign a bill into law, preventing it from becoming an act unless overridden by Congress.