Who has the authority to create new states in the United States?

The authority to create new states in the United States is vested in Congress. According to Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the power to admit new states into the Union. This process typically involves passing an act that allows a territory to become a state, which may also include a detailed admission process that Congress oversees.

This procedure ensures that there is a federal legislative check on the admission of new states, maintaining the balance of power between states and the federal government. The act of statehood requires Congressional approval, which can involve stipulations that address the governance and rights of the new state, ensuring that the integration into the United States is systematic and contributes positively to the Union.

Other branches of government, such as the executive or judicial branches, do not have the authority to unilaterally create new states, nor do individual state governors possess the power to create states independently, as this would undermine the federal framework established by the Constitution.