The Galactic Senate, also referred to as the Galactic Congress, the Congress of the Republic, or the Republic Senate, was the governing body of the Galactic Republic. It consisted of hundreds of senators who represented the many worlds of the galaxy, and was led by a Supreme Chancellor that was elected by and from the representatives. Its primary concern was mediating disputes between varying worlds and dictating the laws and regulations necessary to maintain the Republic.

During the reign of the Galactic Empire, the Galactic Senate was transformed into a ceremonial legislative assembly known as the Imperial Senate. However, this Senate was largely powerless, with its members discouraged from disagreeing with the policies of Emperor Sheev Palpatine. Immediately before the Battle of Yavin, Palpatine officially dissolved the Imperial Senate.

After their victory at the Battle of Endor, the Rebel Alliance was reorganized into the New Republic. One of the Republic’s first acts was restoring the Galactic Senate, which was done so on the Republic’s first capital world, Chandrila. As the capital of the Republic rotated among its member worlds, so did the new Senate.