Imperial Senate/Legends

"I'm a member of the Imperial Senate on a Diplomatic mission to Alderaan!"

- Princess Leia

The Imperial Senate or Imperial Congress was, during the time of the Galactic Empire, the successor of the Galactic Senate of the Republic.

History
"The Imperial Senate will no longer be of any concern to us. I've just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the council permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away."

- Wilhuff Tarkin

The Imperial Senate was established in 19 BBY after the Empire was founded by the self-appointed Galactic Emperor Palpatine. Although at the time of the Empire's formation a supermajority of senators were loyal to Palpatine, the Imperial Senate was still a prime (if often clandestine) source of resistance to Palpatine's authority, and despite its changes, came to be known as the "last remnants of the Old Republic". Certain Senators (many of whom later joined the Rebellion) were known for using the Senate as a platform to voice proposals attempting to moderate Palpatine's rule, although always under the guise of perfect loyalty.

In 0 BBY (35:3:5), Palpatine ordered the Imperial Senate to be shut down "for the duration of the emergency", ostensibly due to the widespread dissemination of the Declaration of Rebellion over the previous months; it was never revived. It was succeeded as the Imperial legislature by various councils, most composed of Moffs: the Central Committee of Grand Moffs, the Interim Ruling Council, and finally, the Council of Moffs.

According to the Bureau of Operations of Imperial Intelligence, the Rebel Alliance managed to rescue many former senators who were willing to use their political influence to oppose the Galactic Empire. To prevent these politicians from openly supporting the Rebellion, Imperial Intelligence sent teams to attack the senators' hideouts.

7 ABY marked the year that the Imperial Senate was succeeded by the New Republic Senate.

Powers
Besides the name, its organization differed somewhat from its Republican forebear. Whereas the Galactic Senate had held both legislative and executive power, the Imperial Senate held legislative power (and some of it in the hands of the Emperor, as he was partly ultimate authority) by orders of the Senate Constitution. Despite such, it still held limited judicial authority, enough to try high ranking officials in the Empire and, possibly, handle cases tied into the Supreme Court (for as long as it lasted). The Senate could advise the Emperor, work on the Imperial budget, and pass laws in the Empire. However, the Emperor could introduce, veto, and pass Senate legislation, and both call and dismiss the Senate at will.

Because of the Regional Governors and Sector Moffs, the Senators no longer served or had power as governor-delegates, which probably added to the dissolution of the legislature.

The Senate could pass amendments to the Imperial Charter, and apparently had at least nominal oversight of the Imperial Military and government bureaucracy.

The day-to-day head of the Senate was no longer the Vice Chair, but the Grand Vizier. The Senate was, at least in theory, responsible for choosing a new Emperor upon the death or abdication of the current holder of the throne.

Composition
The Imperial Senate was made up of groups of congressmen: Senators and representatives, representing sectors in the Empire. Some were elected directly, while others were appointed by a planet's ruler.

Because of "Human High Culture", most of the alien Senators were replaced by Humans, who ended up representing worlds that were entirely nonhuman. However, alien senators were not unheard of, especially in the early days of the Empire.

Committees and Subcommittees include:
 * Delegation of 2000
 * Senate Budgetary Committee
 * Imperial Military Oversight Commission
 * Finance Committee

Documents
Documents relating to the Imperial Senate included:


 * Capital Powers Act
 * Decree 77-92465-001
 * Emergency Military Powers Act
 * Imperial Charter
 * Senate Constitution

Non-canon appearances

 * The Princess Leia Diaries
 * Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope
 * The Rebel Club