Which of the following is a branch of the U.S. government?

The legislative branch is one of the three core branches of the U.S. government, as established by the Constitution. This branch is primarily responsible for making laws, and it consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch plays a critical role in shaping the laws and policies that govern the nation, and its powers include the authority to collect taxes, declare war, and regulate commerce.

Other options represent concepts that may play roles within the government but do not constitute formal branches. The administrative branch, while related to the executive functions of government, is not explicitly defined as a branch in the Constitution. Similarly, the regulatory aspect often refers to the agencies that enforce laws, which operate under the executive branch rather than being an independent branch itself. State is not a branch of the federal government but refers to the individual governments of each U.S. state, which operate under their own separate systems and laws. Therefore, the legislative branch is recognized as a foundational component of the U.S. government structure.