THE CONGRESS OF MOUNT VEMA

Declaration of Sovereignty | Constitution | Legal System | Statutory Laws
​His Majesty’s Government of Mount Vema is represented by the Veman Congress, which is the bicameral legislature of the Kingdom of Mount Vema - Vema Seamount, consisting the Mount Vema Royal House of Lords and the Mount Vema House of Representatives. Members of the Mount Vema Royal House of Lords are appointed by the Sovereign and the members of the Mount Vema House of Representatives are either elected by the public or nominated by the Prime Minister for royal appointment.
The Veman Congress examines what the Government is doing, makes new laws, holds the power to set taxes and debates the issues of the day, including construction, costs and the national budget.
​The House of Representatives - The Government
The House of Representatives - Each of the 85 members of the House of Representatives represents: a Ministry (15 seats), and the appointed representatives (appointed by the Prime Minister) for each district zone (70 seats) to examine and look after the interest of the Government and the nation on their respective allocated zones.
The House of Representatives - Official Opposition
The Official Opposition - Each of the 85 members of the House of Representatives Official Opposition represents: a District Government appointed representative (15 seats), and the elected representatives of each district zone (70 seats) who look after the interest of the residents of their respective zones.
The Royal Mount Vema House of Lords
Each of the 145 members of the Royal Mount Vema House of Lords represent a Royal Government Department (15 Lords – five years term renewable), 10 life peers (holders of Royal district titles - four years term), 120 hereditary peers (holders of hereditary titles such as Knight of Mount Vema, and holders of titles of honors for bravery acts and their contributions to the welfare of the Kingdom of Mount Vema – they are invited to seat in the congress from time to time depending on their field of expertise).
The Role of the Houses
The Mount Vema House of Lords and the House of Representatives are equal partners in the legislative process—legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers. However, the law grants each chamber some unique powers.

The House of Representatives initiates the drafting of revenue bills, considers through debate new laws and changes to existing ones, authorizes taxes, and provide scrutiny of the policy and expenditure of the Government. It has the power to give a Government a vote of no confidence and may force the Prime Minister to resign or call elections by passing a motion of no-confidence.

The Royal Mount Vema House of Lords ratifies treaties with the consent of the Sovereign and approves ministerial appointments for royal approval. They share responsibility for making laws and checking government action. Bills can be introduced into either the Royal Mount Vema House of Lords or the House of Representatives and members of the Royal Mount Vema House of Lords may also take on roles as Government Ministers.

The role of the Royal Mount Vema House of Lords is primarily to act as a body of specialist knowledge that scrutinizes in greater detail bills that have been approved by the House of Representatives. It regularly reviews and amends bills from the House of Representatives, before they are presented to the Veman Sovereign for royal approval.

​The members of the Royal Mount Vema House of Lords can severely delay bills that they believe to be misguided and thereby force the government, the House of Representatives and the general public to reconsider their decisions. In this capacity, the Lords act as constitutional safeguard that is independent from the electoral process and that can challenge the will of the people when the majority’s desires threaten key constitutional principles, security of the realm, human rights or the rules of law.
Royal Mount Vema Seal of Approval 
The Royal Mount Vema House of Lords debates legislation, and has power to amend or reject bills. However, the power of the Lords to reject a bill passed by the House of Representatives is severely restricted by law. Under law of the realm, certain types of bills may be presented for Royal Approval without the consent of the Royal Mount Vema House of Lords, as the Representatives can override the Lords' veto. The Royal House of Lords cannot delay a money bill (a bill that, in the view of the Speaker of the House of Representatives - Lord Royal/Lady Royal, solely concerns national taxation or public funds).
How To Get Involved
You can get involved by submitting a petition to the Veman Congress. Contact a Member of the Congress, to find out about elections.
Note: Although the City of Mount Vema is not built yet, the Congress of Mount Vema already has a substantial amount of work to do. It includes works on issues from vote on designs, urban planning, to the drafting and proposal of legislations for anything that might or that affects the lives of people working or doing business in Mount Vema, or involved with Mount Vema projects at home and abroad, provide for the safety and rescue if necessary of ships passing by Mount Vema waters, including the protection of the Vema Seamount marine ecosystem and the environment.