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James Madison: "Father of the Constitution" and Legislative Leader
The legislative branch enacts legislation, confirms or rejects presidential appointments, and has the authority to declare war. It includes Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) and several agencies that provide support services to Congress.
"All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."
-- The US Constitution, Article I
James Madison called for a Constitutional Convention and arrived with a comprehensive plan––the Virginia Plan. Having read extensively on political theory, he led the debates and was the principal author of the U.S. Constitution. In 1789, Madison established his role as a leader in the new House of Representatives when he drafted basic laws that set this branch of government into motion. |