The Imperial Senate is the tricameral legislative body of the United Roman Empire. The senate meets in the Curia Seria, which was built in Rome upon the ruins of the Curia Julia when it burned to the ground in 152 A.D. According to Section IV of the Constitution of the United Roman Empire, the senate consists of the Prime Minister, the House of Commons, the House of Appointees and the House of Lords all of which have separate and unique powers within the legislature. Although the senate retains nominal control over most legislative power within the bounds of the empire, all legislation must be signed into law by the sovereign who also has the power to veto such legislation that does not meet he approval.
As of the 2010 census, the House of Commons has 600 members, the House of Appointees has 400 members and the House of Lords has 1353 members.
Composition of the Imperial Senate
The Prime Minister
The Prime Minster is the nominal head of government in the United Roman Empire and sole member of the senate that may vote in all three houses. The role of prime minister was formed in 1655 with the reformation of the senate under Emperor Titus. The prime minister controls the day to day operation of the government, is authorized to select members of the the senate for positions in his cabinet and is a member of the Emperor's Privy Council. Unlike most parliamentary governments, the prime minister in the United Roman Empire is not elected but is instead appointed by the emperor and thus is usually an important aristocrat or member of the royal family. Only a member of the House of Lords may serve as Prime Minister. The current prime minister is HIH Prince Tiberius Serius Primulus, brother of HIM Emperor Regulus Serius Sirius.
The prime minister resides in a city of Rome, one of the capital cities of the United Roman Empire and location of the Curia Seria, the primary legislative building.
The House of Commons
The House of Commons is the democratically elected component of the senate. Each member represents a electoral region and is elected every four years through a simple plurality voting system. With its members elected directly by the populace, this house remains the sole section of power that regular citizens hold in the government. The House of Commons can levy taxes and remains the only government venue where private citizens can address the government. The Constitution fixes the limit on how many seats may be in the House of Commons at 800, but there are currently only 755 seats in this House. Electoral regions are determined every decade via a census. Senators in the House of Commons must be at least 30 years of age, must be a citizen in good standing, and must be elected by his district in a free and legal election. The House of Commons is presided over by a Consul and a Tribune, both of which are first endorsed by the Prime Minister and then approved by the body. The Consul presides over debate and chooses who may speak, assisting him is the Tribune, who is usually a junior politician who is being groomed for higher office. Two other officers of the house include the Praetor and Censor, both who assist the Consul and Tribune. The Consul acts as a proxy for the Prime Minister who spends his time overseeing the various functions of government. Consuls and Tribunes act as proxies for him; they are required to report back to him and issue his vote on important pieces of legislation.
The House of Appointees
The House of Appointees consists of those representatives appointed by regional Governor-Generals, and is charged with maintaining trade and commerce between the various territories. All territorial disputes between regions are settled on the floor of the House of Appointees. While members are appointed by Governor-Generals, certain restrictions are placed on the pool of eligible appointees. Governor-Generals must select an appointee who is a member of the dominant political party in that region, the appointee must be at least 30 years of age and must be a citizen in good standing. Each Governor-General may appoint four total appointees. The House of Appointees is presided over by a Consul and a Tribune, both of which are first endorsed by the Prime Minister and then approved by the body. The Consul presides over debate and chooses who may speak, assisting him is the Tribune, who is usually a junior politician who is being groomed for higher office. Two other officers of the house include the Praetor and Censor, both who assist the Consul and Tribune. The Consul acts as a proxy for the Prime Minister who spends his time overseeing the various functions of government. Consuls and Tribunes act as proxies for him; they are required to report back to him and issue his vote on important pieces of legislation.
The House of Lords
The House of Lords consists of those representatives appointed directly by the sovereign, they usually come from the well off, or the historically noble families of the empire. This house can issue declaration of wars, and can regulate international trade with regards to the empire. This house also appoints ambassadors and maintains embassies. Senators in the House of Lords must have full legal and uncontested claim to the hereditary seat and must be a free male member of the aristocracy. The House of Lords is presided over by a Consul and a Tribune, both of which are first endorsed by the Prime Minister and then approved by the body. The Consul presides over debate and chooses who may speak, assisting him is the Tribune, who is usually a junior politician who is being groomed for higher office. Two other officers of the house include the Praetor and Censor, both who assist the Consul and Tribune. The Consul acts as a proxy for the Prime Minister who spends his time overseeing the various functions of government. Consuls and Tribunes act as proxies for him; they are required to report back to him and issue his vote on important pieces of legislation. Due to there simply not being enough room for every member of the House of Lords to sit in session, the eligible member of the House of Lords elect 800 fellow members to sit in session for daily business; however any member may ask to speak during a session and may choose to be present for votes.
