How CitizenSenator Works

A platform for US federal legislation — propose, debate, amend, and vote on real laws. Here's how the process works.

What is CitizenSenator?

CitizenSenator is focused on US federal politics — proposals for laws that would originate in the US House of Representatives or US Senate. Every proposal goes through community debate, amendments with quorum requirements, and a final binding vote.

The Legislative Process

1

Propose

Draft a bill, choose a chamber (House or Senate), and set a voting period.

2

Debate & Amend

Community discusses and proposes amendments. Each amendment has its own timer.

3

Final Vote

Once debate ends, citizens cast yes or no. Bare majority (>50%) passes.

4

Result

Passed proposals become law. Failed ones are archived but can be resubmitted.

Amendment Rules

Amendments let the community refine proposals before the final vote, just like a real legislature.

Clocks

Each amendment has its own timer. When it expires: if it passes (>50%) and meets quorum, it auto-merges. After a merge, all proposal votes reset. If the proposal has <2 days left, 2 days are added.

Quorum

An amendment needs at least half as many total votes as the proposal. Below that threshold, it's dismissed as 'No Quorum' regardless of its ratio.

Freeze Period

No new amendments can be submitted in the final voting window (last 7 days for long proposals, last half for shorter ones). Existing amendments can still be voted on.

Alternatives

Users can propose alternatives to existing amendments. They share the same clock. When it expires, only passing alternatives compete — the one with the most yes votes wins.

Duplicate Flagging

Flag an amendment as a duplicate. If 2 users flag the same pair, it auto-converts to an alternative.

Proposal Rules

Editing

Authors can edit directly only before any votes or amendments. After that, changes must go through the amendment system.

Author Withdrawal

Authors can withdraw support with a required explanation. The proposal stays active — voting continues regardless.

Resubmission

Failed proposals can be resubmitted unlimited times. Low-engagement reposts naturally sink in rankings.

Chamber

Authors tag their proposal for the US House or Senate. Revenue bills originate in the House; treaties are Senate matters.

Filibuster Proof

Proposals and amendments passing with ≥66.7% approval earn the Filibuster Proof badge — signaling broad enough support to overcome procedural obstruction in a real legislature.

AI Transparency

Authors can voluntarily disclose AI use: AI Assisted (their idea, AI helped write) or AI Generated (AI created the content). A badge is displayed so others can factor it in.

Phase 2 — What's Next

Phase 1 is the citizen legislature. Phase 2 will connect passed laws to the real world:

  • • Finding candidates who pledge to support community-passed proposals
  • • Linked fundraising pages for supportive candidates
  • • Tracking real-world progress of community-backed legislation