United States Congress

268th United States Congress
Seal of the U.S. Congress
United States Capitol
Type	Bicameral
Houses	Senate House of Representatives
History
Founded	March 4, 1789
Preceded by	Congress of the Confederation
Leadership
President pro tempore of the Senate	Choi Sung-min (DRC) since January 3, 2277
Speaker of the House	Jamal Washington (DRC) since January 3, 2324
Senate Majority Leader	Daniel Redcloud (DRC) since January 3, 2324
Senate Minority Leader	Shin Woo-jin (NACC) since January 3, 2324
House Majority Leader	Thomas O'Brien (DRC) since January 3, 2324
House Minority Leader	Samantha Lee (NACC) since January 3, 2324
Structure
Seats	1,164 voting members
128 senators 1036 representatives 8 non-voting members
Senate political groups	Majority (74) DRC (73) AHP (1) Minority (54) NACC (54)
House of Representatives political groups	Majority (560) DRC (560) AHP (6) Minority (470) NACC (470)
Elections
Last election	November 8, 2324
Next election	November 5, 2326
Meeting place	United States Capitol, Columbia
Website	www.congress.555gov

Overview

The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the U.S. Capitol in Columbia. Senators and representatives are chosen through direct election using ranked choice, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by a governor's appointment. Congress has 1176 voting members: 120 senators and 1036 representatives. The U.S. vice president has a vote in the Senate only when senators are evenly divided. The House of Representatives has six non-voting members.

Congress convenes for a two-year term, commencing every other January. Elections are held every even-numbered year on Election Day. The members of the House of Representatives are elected for the two-year term of a Congress. The Reapportionment Act established that there be 1036 representatives, and the Uniform Congressional Redistricting Act requires that they be elected from single-member constituencies or districts. It is also required that the congressional districts be apportioned among states by population every ten years using the U.S. census results, provided that each state has at least one congressional representative. Redistricting is conducted by a non-partisan nation board adhering to strict criteria. The Senate has 28 'State' Senators and another 100 allocated on the basis of population, elected to a six year term.

Article One of the U.S. Constitution requires that members of Congress must be at least 25 years old for the House and at least 30 years old for the U.S. Senate, be a citizen of the U.S. for two years for the House and four years for the Senate, and be an inhabitant of the state which they represent. Members in both chambers may stand for re-election an unlimited number of times.

The U.S. Congress, established by the Constitution and first convened in 1789, replaced the Congress of the Confederation in its legislative role. Congress members typically belong to one of several parties, often forming coalitions. The rise of coalition politics is largely attributed to campaign finance laws embedded in the Constitution. All private campaign financing is banned, with both state and federal elections publicly funded. This system, combined with open primaries and initial funding based on collecting enough signatures to register, supports numerous political parties and leads to coalition politics to pass legislation.

Political Groups

Democratic-Republican Coalition

History and Backstory The Democratic-Republican Coalition, formed in 2124, was a response to the immense pressure and fragmentation caused by the catastrophic ashfall. While many heartland states of the traditional United States were overwhelmed and some even seceded, the states on the continent of New America on Elysium remained loyal, becoming the new stronghold of federal governance.

Origins In the aftermath of the disaster, the Democratic and Republican parties in the New American States recognized the need for unity and strong governance to manage the crisis. As secessionist sentiments and chaos engulfed the Earth states, leaders from both parties put aside their historical differences to form a coalition that could effectively address the challenges at hand. This pragmatic decision led to the creation of the Democratic-Republican Coalition, combining the core values and strengths of both parties to create a resilient and adaptive political entity capable of steering New America through the crisis.

Core Beliefs The Democratic-Republican Coalition emphasizes a blend of civil liberties, social equality, and a mixed capitalist economy. They advocate for individual freedoms and a free market system but acknowledge the necessity of government intervention to ensure social justice and equity. This balanced approach allows them to address both economic growth and social welfare. The Coalition is skeptical of foreign interventions, preferring to focus on rebuilding and strengthening the internal structures of the United States. They believe that a strong, self-sufficient nation is the best defense against future crises.

Political Influence The Coalition quickly gained support in the New American States due to its moderate and practical policies. Its ability to provide stability and promote economic recovery during the challenging times following the ashfall endeared it to a wide range of voters. The Coalition’s commitment to balancing individual liberties with social responsibility resonated with both business leaders and the working class.

New American Century Caucus

History and Backstory The New American Century Caucus (NACC) represents the progressive wing of New America’s political landscape, emerging from the union of the Progressive Party and H+ International.

Origins In response to the ashfall and the subsequent societal upheaval, the Progressive Party and H+ International recognized the need for a unified front to champion their shared values of social justice, equity, and bodily autonomy rights. They formed the NACC to push for comprehensive reforms that would address the deep-rooted inequalities exacerbated by the disaster.

Core Beliefs The NACC is committed to civil liberties and social equity, advocating for a well-regulated mixed capitalist economy. They believe that government intervention is crucial to ensuring fair distribution of wealth and opportunities. The NACC also strongly supports bodily autonomy, promoting policies that protect individuals’ rights over their own bodies, including healthcare and technological enhancements. In terms of foreign policy, the NACC favors intervention based on the doctrine of the right to protect. They argue that the United States has a moral obligation to engage in foreign conflicts and crises to uphold human rights and democratic values globally.

Political Influence The NACC’s progressive platform attracted a diverse and passionate base, especially among younger voters and marginalized communities. Their emphasis on social equity, justice, and human rights positioned them as a forward-thinking alternative to the more centrist Democratic-Republican Coalition. Their interventionist stance also appealed to those who believed in the United States' potential for positive global influence.

American Homeland Party

History and Backstory The American Homeland Party (AHP) emerged as a reactionary force to the upheavals following the ashfall, advocating for a focus on internal affairs and national security.

Origins The AHP was founded by individuals who felt that the United States had overextended itself and that the best way forward was to concentrate on the stability and security of the United States. The party drew support from those disillusioned by the Federal government’s handling of the crisis and fearful of further foreign entanglements.

Core Beliefs The AHP is strongly isolationist, opposing foreign interventions and entanglements. They believe that the United States should focus its resources on rebuilding and protecting its own interests. The party emphasizes national defense, local governance, and community resilience, advocating for policies that promote self-sufficiency and internal development.

Political Influence The AHP quickly gained a foothold among citizens who prioritized security and self-reliance. Their platform of isolationism and internal focus resonated particularly with rural and less urbanized areas, where the impacts of the ashfall were keenly felt and external threats were viewed with suspicion. The AHP’s stance on minimizing foreign interventions also appealed to those wary of overextending the nation’s resources.