Which institution is primarily responsible for interpreting laws in the United States?

• A. The President
• B. The Supreme Court
• C. The Senate
• D. The Department of Justice

Answer: (B)

Interpreting laws is a function of the judiciary. Courts decide what statutes mean, how they apply to particular cases, and whether they conform to the Constitution. The Supreme Court sits at the top of this system, so its decisions resolve nationwide questions of law and set binding precedents for lower courts. The President enforces laws and can veto or sign them, but does not determine their meaning in disputes. The Senate crafts legislation, and while the Department of Justice may offer interpretations in prosecutions, it is the courts that render final judgments on legal interpretation. The power of judicial review, established in Marbury v. Madison, gives the courts the authority to strike down laws that violate the Constitution, underscoring why the Supreme Court is the primary interpreter of laws in the United States.