The Senate

FUNCTION calculate_senate_power(state):
  // Every state gets exactly 2 senators
  // Regardless of population
  
  senators = 2  // Hardcoded, not calculated
  
  // Calculate effective vote weight
  citizens_per_senator = state.population / 2
  
  RETURN {
    senators: 2,
    vote_weight: 1 / citizens_per_senator
  }

// Real world impact:
wyoming = { population: 580,000, senators: 2 }
california = { population: 39,500,000, senators: 2 }

wyoming_citizen_power = 1 / 290,000    // 1 senator per 290K
california_citizen_power = 1 / 19,750,000  // 1 senator per 19.75M

// Wyoming citizens have 68x more Senate representation
representation_ratio = 19,750,000 / 290,000  // = 68.1x

CLASS Filibuster:
  // Not constitutional - just a Senate rule
  cloture_threshold = 60  // Out of 100 senators
  
  FUNCTION attempt_legislation(bill, supporting_senators):
    // Step 1: Motion to proceed (can be filibustered)
    IF NOT invoke_cloture(supporting_senators):
      RETURN "BLOCKED - Cannot begin debate"
    
    // Step 2: Debate period (can be extended indefinitely)
    WHILE senator_holds_floor():
      // Any senator can keep talking
      // Or just threaten to talk (modern filibuster)
      WAIT()
    
    // Step 3: Vote on bill (also requires cloture)
    IF NOT invoke_cloture(supporting_senators):
      RETURN "BLOCKED - Cannot end debate"
    
    // Step 4: Final passage (simple majority)
    IF supporting_senators >= 51:
      RETURN "PASSED"
    
  FUNCTION invoke_cloture(supporters):
    RETURN supporters.count >= 60
    
// Result: Most legislation needs 60 votes, not 51
// Exception: Budget reconciliation (simple majority)

CLASS SenatorHold:
  // Any single senator can place a "hold" on nominations
  // This is an informal threat to filibuster
  
  FUNCTION place_hold(nomination):
    // Simply notify party leadership
    notify_leader("I will object to unanimous consent")
    
    // Result: Leadership typically delays floor action
    nomination.status = "BLOCKED_INDEFINITELY"
    
    // No vote needed, no public record required
    // Can be anonymous ("secret holds" until 2011)
    
CLASS UnanimousConsent:
  // Most routine Senate business requires UC
  
  FUNCTION request_uc(action):
    // Presiding officer asks: "Is there objection?"
    FOR each senator IN chamber:
      IF senator.objects:
        RETURN "DENIED"
    RETURN "GRANTED"
  
  // Without UC, every action requires:
  // - Motion
  // - Debate (potentially unlimited)
  // - Cloture vote (60 senators)
  // - Post-cloture time (up to 30 hours per item)
  
// 30 hours × hundreds of nominations = impossible backlog
// This is why executive branch vacancies persist

FUNCTION calculate_total_senate_impact():
  
  direct_power = {
    legislation: "Equal votes regardless of population",
    treaties: "2/3 required for ratification",
    impeachment: "2/3 required for conviction",
    amendments: "2/3 required to propose"
  }
  
  appointment_power = {
    supreme_court: "Confirm lifetime judges",
    federal_judges: "Confirm 870+ judgeships",
    cabinet: "Confirm 15 secretaries",
    ambassadors: "Confirm 190+ positions",
    executive: "Confirm 1,200+ officials"
  }
  
  blocking_power = {
    filibuster: "41 senators can block legislation",
    holds: "1 senator can delay nominations",
    committee: "Chair can refuse hearings",
    unanimous_consent: "1 senator can slow everything"
  }
  
  // Small state coalition math:
  // 26 smallest states = 52 senators = majority
  // Those 26 states contain only 17.6% of US population
  
  RETURN "17.6% of population can control chamber"

FUNCTION attempt_senate_reform(proposal):
  
  IF proposal.type == "ELIMINATE_FILIBUSTER":
    // Can be done with 51 votes (nuclear option)
    // But requires majority party unity
    required = 51
    barrier = "Political will of majority party"
    
  ELSE IF proposal.type == "CHANGE_REPRESENTATION":
    // Article V specifically prohibits this
    requirement = "Consent of every state losing power"
    
    // Wyoming would need to vote to reduce its own power
    // by 68x. This will never happen voluntarily.
    
    barrier = "Constitutional impossibility"
    
  ELSE IF proposal.type == "ADD_STATES":
    // DC and Puerto Rico statehood
    // Would add 4 senators (likely Democratic)
    required = 60  // Filibuster applies
    barrier = "Opposition party will filibuster"
    
  ELSE IF proposal.type == "CONSTITUTIONAL_CONVENTION":
    // Article V alternative: 2/3 of states call convention
    required = 34  // state legislatures
    barrier = "Small states won't vote to lose power"

// Conclusion: Senate structure is essentially permanent
// Only the filibuster can realistically be reformed