Congress: The Board Game

As a member of Congress, your sworn duty is to serve your constituents. Serve them well and they may re-elect you for another term. But a higher prize awaits: the presidency of the United States! The American government is built upon a system of checks and balances. Things get done only when everyone works together. At the same time, only one can rise to the highest office in the U.S. Will it be you? Only time - and the American people - will decide! God bless America! In Congress: The Board Game, you and your fellow senators compete to earn the most nomination points (“NP”) in order to secure the nomination for the U.S. presidency. This is accomplished by passing bills that reflect your interests and agendas over three terms, each of which is comprised of three sessions. You must also support the interests of your state’s residents or risk defeat in your midterm elections, harming your chances in the presidential race. The game is over at the end of the third term and the winner is the player with the most NP. Each session consists of five phases: Committee Phase - a bill is selected by the speaker. Amendment Phase - everyone takes turns adding riders and/or playing action cards. Voting Phase - the bill is either voted through in simple majority or killed. Election Phase - if this is the third session of the term, players receive campaign donations and roll for their election. Clean-up Phase - everyone prepares for the next session. After the third term and final election, secret agendas are revealed and NP is counted. The most NP wins, and in case of a tie, richest senator wins. —description from the publisher