said region. Powers The Federation Council is viewed as a more formal chamber of the Federal Assembly. Because of its federalist design, as well as its voting franchise strictly limited to provincial elites, the Council is viewed as less volatile to radical changes. The Council is charged in cooperating with the State Duma in completing and voting on draft laws. Federal laws concerning budgets, customs regulations, credit monitoring, and the ratification of international treaties are to be considered by the Council after they have been adopted from the State Duma, where most legislation is introduced. Special powers that accorded only to senators of the Federation Council are: Approval of changes in borders between the subjects of the Russian Federation; Approval of a decree of the President of the Russian Federation on the introduction of martial law; Approval of a decree of the President of the Russian Federation on the introduction of a state of emergency; Deciding on the possibility of using the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation outside the territory of the Russian Federation; Declaring of elections of the President of the Russian Federation; Impeachment of the President of the Russian Federation; Approving the president's nomination of judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federal government Approving the president's nomination of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation; Appointment of Deputy Chairman and half of the auditors of the Accounting Chamber. For laws to pass the Federation Council, a vote of more than half of its 187 senators is required. When considering federal constitutional laws, three-fourths of the Council's votes are required for passage. If the Council vetoes a law passed by the State Duma, the two chambers are mandated to form a Conciliation Committee in order to form a compromise document, which would again go under vote by both houses. The Federation Council's veto can be overcome by two-thirds majority of Duma deputies. Committees Committees form a key component to the structure of the Council. Sixteen committees and seven commissions exist for senators to consider legislation and policy on a number of issues ranging from foreign affairs, federal affairs, and youth and sports. Leadership in these committees are determined by the Council Chairman, who remains in correspondence with their findings. These committees include: Committee on Constitutional Legislation Committee on Judicial