Lucas Underwood

**Lucas Scott Underwood** (born September 13, 1985) is an American politician who served as the 7th President of the United States from April 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021. He ascended to the presidency following the resignation of Hillary R. Cunningham. He previously served as the seventh Vice President of the United States under Cunningham. He is the first African American senator from district three and in DES history. He is the third and fourth person of color to serve in the House and in the Senate, respectively. He is also the first African American to serve on a major party's ticket for vice president and to win.

A member of the Democratic Party, he first served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Cambridge's Second Congressional District - then the Tenth Congressional District - from December 15, 2020 - January 25, 2021. He also served as a United States Senator from New Columbia - then District Three -, before being elected Vice President of the United States on March 13th.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Underwood attended Grover Cleveland High School and graduated from Cornell University and Harvard Law School. He was elected the Second Congressman from Cambridge's Second District - then District Ten - and he won unopposed. He ended up serving a total of two terms before losing re-election to Roman Sasse. Underwood later ran for the United States Senate where he beat the incumbent, Brett Cawthorn, by a margin of 13 points.

Underwood was thought of running for President in Season Two, but he later declined. In the Season Four Presidential Race, Hillary Cunningham selected Underwood as her running mate and they would later go on to win the Democratic Nomination for President and Vice President on March 5, 2021. Underwood would later accept the nomination for Vice President on March 8, 2021, with Cunningham, at the Democratic National Convention in Miami, Florida. Cunningham and Underwood would go on to win the Season Four Presidential Election with 285 electoral votes, on March 13, 2021.

## United States House of Representatives

### Election

Underwood filed his candidacy for Congress on November 24, 2020. He was elected as a Congressman from Cambridge's Second District - then District Ten -, on December 11, 2020. At the time he was elected, he entered Congress with a Republican supermajority in both Chambers of Congress. While combating a GOP controlled House Chamber, Underwood proposed many pieces of legislation to reform the criminal justice system. While serving in the House, Underwood was considered one of the most active and transparent Representatives, making a congressional website and actively introducing legislation.

### Prohibiting Law Enforcement Use of Chemical Weapons Act

Underwood proposed the Prohibiting Law Enforcement Use of Chemical Weapons Act on December 24, 2020. The bill would make sure law enforcement officers would be prohibited from using mustard gas and other weapons classified as a chemical weapons and that was warned to cause death to civilians. The bill was very well received by House Republicans but not so much by Senate Republicans.

## Personal Details

### Born

Lucas Scott UnderwoodSeptember 13, 1985 (age 35)

Buffalo, New York, U.S.

### Residence

Buffalo, New York; Alexandria, Virginia; Washington, D.C;

### Alma mater

Cornell University (BA)Harvard Law School (JD)

### Net Worth

12.3 Million

He final vote of the bill, in the House, was 7-2-1-1. When introduced to the Senate Judiciary Committee, the bill failed as GOP senators called the bill "unneeded and unnecessary". Underwood called about certain Senators in the Judiciary Committee who failed the bill saying "they clearly lack the common sense and decency to know that this bill is needed, especially in the times we live in."

### Speakership Candidacy

When Underwood won re-election for his second term in Congress, he announced his candidacy to be the Speaker of the House on December 31, 2020. He faced Congressman Tom Bush. Republicans won the majority and the House and is was expected that Underwood would lose. Despite all of the talk from members within his own party, Underwood stayed in the race and said "I'm staying in this race so we can bring the reform we need to Congress and fix the unorganized way the House is ran." Underwood would later lose the Speakership election by a 6-3-2 vote. It was later revealed that Fmr. Congressman Santiago Martinez and Fmr. Congresswoman Sophia Bennett, voted against Underwood because they were alts controlled by Jakob Tawney and Tom Bush.

### Criminal Justice Reform & the American Prison Reform Act

During Underwood's second term in the House, he introduced a legislative agenda to combat the unorganized criminal justice system in the United States. He introduced the plan on January 13, 2021, and the plan was met with support by House Republicans. He teamed up with Congressman Charlie Williams to propose the American Prison Reform Act, which is the biggest piece of legislation targeted with reforming our prisons and discrimination in prisons in DES history.

The bill was met with support from House Republicans but was bad-mouthed by Senate Republicans. Underwood addressed the concerns of the bill, saying "this piece of legislation is one of the most important pieces of legislation we need right now. It's important we look at what this bill will do to help those that were treated unfair in the criminal justice system."

Underwood would later re-introduce the American Prison Reform Act in the Senate where it passed with a 4-1-0-3 vote.

### U.S. Capitol Attack

On January 17, 2021, the terrorist group known as ISIS attempted to attack the United States Capitol. Multiple Representatives and Senators were injured including Senator Edwin House. After the capitol was cleared, Underwood made a statement that he was alright and that "those (ISIS) terrorists who tried to attack the citadel of democracy will face the wrath of American justice."

## United States Senate

### Election

After losing re-election to the House, by one vote to Roman Sasse, Underwood decided to take a break from politics. He moved to Alexandria, Virginia in New Columbia. Later, he announced his candidacy for Senate running against the incumbent, Brett Cawthorn. Underwood would win and was elected on February 21, 2021.

### American Prison Reform Act

On March 5, 2021, Underwood would introduce the American Prison Reform Act in the Senate, his first in the Senate.. It is one of the biggest bills targeted with prison reform in DES history. The bill is best known to include a startup plan for the American Rehabilitation Drug Courts Program, which would make sure individuals charged with a non-violent drug offense, seek rehabilitation rather than going to prison for such a small offense. The bill would pass the Senate the same day and also pass the House. As of March 10th, 2021, the bill has been signed into law by President Benjamin Bryant.

### Law Enforcement Identification Act

Underwood introduced the Law Enforcement Identification Act on March 6, 2021. The bill would enforce that federal law enforcement officers show their identification badges before acting in a civil duty. It will ensure that people, in public, know who to identify as a law enforcement officer and reduce the risk of a police/civilian incident. As of March 11, 2021, the bill has been signed into law by President Benjamin Bryant.

### Immigration Reform

Following reports of a massive immigration crisis in central America, that would lead its way to the Southern Border of the United States, Senator Underwood teamed up with Senators Kenneth Allen and Charlie Williams to bring immigration reform on the table. The trio addressed the situation at the Senate Emergency Session on March 7, 2021.

### Capital Punishment Abolishment

During a Senate session to debate the Capital Punishment Abolishment Act, introduced by Senator Charlie Williams, Underwood strongly supported the bill stating "Since the start of this country, the death penalty has been used to wrongfully take the life of those who were convicted of specific crimes. What example would we set to the younger generation if we continue to live by the unmoral phrase of 'an eye for an eye'? The government killing an individual is still murder, under the death penalty or not, it we must stop this unlawful act."

His response to the legislation was met with much praise my Democrats and Republicans, alike. After the session, he joined a couple senators in co-sponsoring the legislation and working on getting it passed in both Chambers of Congress.

### Committee Assignments

While in the Senate, Underwood served as a member on the following committees.

* Committee on Armed Services
* Committee on the Budget
* Committee on Defense
* Committee on Health
* Committee on Veteran Affairs

## Electoral History

### Congressional Elections

#### Season Three Senate Midterm Election, Class Two (2/20/21)

District Three, Class Two, Senate Election
 Unaffiliated

## Vice Presidential Nomination

Underwood was first expected to be the Democratic Nominee for Vice President in Season Three but it was instead Senator Kenneth Allen. Underwood would then be picked by Hillary Cunningham as her running mate in the Season Four presidential race, on March 5, 2021. He is the first African American to be on a major party's ticket for Vice President and the third African American Vice President if elected. Due to the first and second African American Vice Presidents to be nominated to the office of Vice President, Underwood would be the first African American elected Vice President.

Underwood accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for Vice President on March 8, 2021.

Underwood was elected the 7th Vice President of the United States on March 13, 2021, with Hillary Cunningham being elected the 6th President of the United States.

## Season Four Presidential Election

### Vice Presidential Campaign

During the Season Three Presidential Election, many members of the Democratic Party endorsed the idea of a Cunningham/Underwood ticket when Hillary Cunningham won the nomination. Instead she picked Senator Kenneth Allen, who many believe would have been a better pick than Underwood.

When Cunningham ran for President, again after losing in Season Three to the incumbent Benjamin Bryant, she picked Ashton Sinclair to be her running mate. Many hated the idea of Sinclair being her running mate as many viewed him as an inexperience Congressman. He later dropped out from the ticket.

On March 4, 2021, NPR Politics reported a story that Cunningham would pick Underwood as her running mate.

On March 5, 2021, Cunningham picked Underwood to be her running mate. Many were surprised with the decision and delighted. People quickly approved of the ticket and Underwood was seen as a far more better pick than Sinclair to be the Democratic Party's nominee for Vice President.

On March 6, 2021, Cunningham and Underwood won the Democratic Party's nomination for President and Vice President and accepted the nomination on March 8, 2021.

Underwood became Vice President-Elect following the Cunningham/Underwood ticket's victory in the Season Four Presidential Election on March 13, 2021.

## Vice Presidency (March 19, 2021 - April 1, 2021)

During his Vice Presidency, Underwood helped manage the White House Immigration and Border Security Council that President Cunningham established to take care of the immigration crisis at the southern border. Underwood was also in charge of multiple White House councils that included promoting women in America's workforce, promoting LGBTQIA+ rights, and etc.

In his Vice Presidency, Underwood was liked among the public and received approval ratings of about 75-90%.

On the morning of April 1, 2021; President Cunningham announced she would resign from the Presidency because of something happening irl. Because of this, Underwood would be President. His Vice Presidency ended on April 1, 2021 at 6:00 AM EST, to assume the duties of the office of President of the United States. He had only served two weeks in the Vice Presidency.

## Presidency (April 1, 2021 - April 30, 2021)

After the resignation of Hillary Cunningham, then Vice President, Underwood assumed the duties of the office of President of the United States at 6:00 AM EST, on the morning of April 1, 2021. He was sworn in by Chief Justice Everett Terry later on the same day, in a private ceremony in the Oval Office, at 11:00 AM EST. In his first address to the nation, minutes after his was sworn into office, Underwood stated that he would *"make it my duty to make sure my administration is the people’s beacon of hope for change. When I was Vice President I said 'Not only is the White House the office place and residence of the President of the United States, but it is the people's house. It is also your house.'. I will ensure that transparency is front and center and that I put the interests of the American people first".* Underwood expressed the need for unity and stated that he would make sure *"that the country would be unified at the end of the day".*

Within his first hours as President, Underwood announced that he would nominate President Pro Tempore Harry Bennett as Vice President. Over 80% of the general public supported this nomination and the Underwood administration was off to a good start. He then announced the nominations of Attorney General and Secretary of State, and began fulfilling his promise to the American people of making sure there was a *"full and detailed administration".*

On Underwood's last day in office as President, his approval rating reached a record high of 86.4% making him the most popular President in DES history.

### Criminal Justice Reform and Immigration Reform Executive Actions

A fierce advocator of criminal justice reform and immigration reform, Underwood signed multiple executive orders that addressed the federal criminal justice system and the topic of private prisons that have contracts with the Department of Justice. As President, Underwood ordered the Department of Justice to not renew any contracts with privately-owned detention centers and he then ordered the Department of Homeland Security to review all of their policies to make sure that *"all department actions and directives that were signed before the Underwood administration was constitutional and legal".* On April 30, 2021, Underwood signed the biggest immigration reform package in history, into law. This bill was named the Immigration and Naturalization Reform Act. It was written by then Senator now Vice President Charlie Williams, Senator Monique Henderson, Congressman George Richardson, Attorney General Kenneth Allen, along with Underwood himself*.*

### Legislative Agenda & Cabinet Nominations

On his second day in office, Underwood was able to score a 80.6% approval rating from the American people, becoming one of the most popular presidents in DES history. Underwood also nominated 4 more people to his cabinet, filling the roles in the Department(s) of Defense, Health & Human Services, Treasury, and Labor. Underwood was known as a man who was *"quick on his feet"* and a great example of this was when he sent his legislative agenda to Congress, 4 days after he assumed the Presidency. He called for *"progress directly to the American people"* and he urged Congress to act in a *"quick and efficient manner that would fit on the American people's timetable"*, not theirs. Included in his agenda was a plan to bring over 750,000 jobs to America's fishery and oceanic industries. This plan was called the American Fishery & Oceanic Rescue Plan. The bill is currently in-production and is expected to be finished and introduced to Congress by April 26, 2021. He also announced the American Carbon Emissions Fee & Energy Development Act. This bill would establish a carbon tax and use the revenue to distribute it to low-income families so they can spend it to invest in green energy. Underwood also announced that the checks would serve as stimulus checks to stimulate the economy. Unfortunately, both bills were not completed before Underwood's presidency ended. Because of this, Underwood promised that if he was elected Governor of Cambridge, he would work with leaders across the nation to get those bills enacted into law.

### Educational & Civil Rights Executive Actions

Addressing education, Underwood signed another batch of executive orders on his 1 week anniversary as President. He signed Executive Order 705, which ordered the Department of Education to work with the Justice Department to review all policies within the DoED to make sure that those policies will not and can not result in the continuing discrimination in public schools that have become more frequent. He also signed Executive Order 706, which established the White House Council on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He was praised by the African American community on focusing on the education of students in HBCUs and his effort to maintain order in America's public schools. Underwood took another courageous step in expanding civil rights for transgender students, by signing Executive Order 707. This executive order directed the Department of Education to send a guidance to school districts around the country to inform them that they have to allow transgender students to use a bathroom assigned to the gender they identify with. He was the first President to address the civil rights of those in the LGBTQIA+ community and he actively praised the community as a "symbol of hope to all Americans, that sends a message that you can be whoever you want to be".

### United States - ASEAN Trade Agreement

On April 19, 2021, Underwood has a secret meeting with the Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which happens to be one of the most influential and biggest economic alliances in the world. In the meeting, Underwood was trying to score a trade deal with the association. During the State of the Union Address on April 22, 2021, Underwood announced that the deal was agreed to and he introduced the agreement to Congress on April 29, 2021. The Secretary of State, Marty Walsh, was also mentioned as the driving force for the agreement to even exist and Underwood praised him for his work and effort. This trade agreement is the biggest trade agreement in DES history and it was signed and ratified on April 30, 2021, only 7 hours before Underwood's presidency ended. Underwood was met with praise after announcing the deal and his approval rating went to an all-time high becoming the most popular President in DES history.

### Cancelling Student Loan Debt

7 hours before his presidency ended, Underwood signed Executive Order 708 which would cancel up to $52,500 of student loan debt of all American citizens after 7.5 years of the authorization of the order. Many called this a *"bold step in the right direction"* and Underwood become the third President behind Benjamin Bryant and Hillary Rylee Cunningham to cancel a certain amount of student loan debt by executive action.

### Cabinet of President Lucas Underwood

The following are members of the 7th White House Administration and the cabinet of Lucas Underwood.

* Vice President of the United States | Harry Bennett (April 5, 2021 - April 30, 2021)
* White House Chief of Staff | Cory Booker (April 1, 2021 - April 18, 2021)
* Secretary of State | Monique Henderson (Acting; April 1-5, 2021); Marty Walsh (April 15, 2021 - April 30, 2021)
* Secretary of the Treasury | Vacant
* Secretary of Defense | Cameron Daniels (April 1-5, 2021)
* Attorney General | Kenneth Allen (April 1, 2021-); Attorney General under Bennett Administration
* Secretary of Labor | Davy P. Long (April 1, 2021 - April 21,2021) \*Fired due to unethical and unprofessional work ethics.\*
* Secretary of Health and Human Services | Rick Fitzpatrick (April 1, 2021 - April 14, 2021)
* Secretary of Education | Jamaal Jones (April 21, 2021 - April 30, 2021)
* Special Congressional Financial Policy Advisor | Sethyy Bro (April 4, 2021-) (Will Leave Position Once Confirmed to Be SoTrea by the Senate)

## Season Five Gubernatorial Campaign

When he first assumed the office of President, Underwood announced that he would not run for re-election in the Season 5 Presidential Election, because of in real life events. Many speculated that he would run in Season 6, but no news was announced by Underwood until April 16, 2021 when he announced in a press conference, that he would run for President in Season 6 and that he would run "no matter who enters the race", becoming the first candidate in the race which is expected to occur on June 25, 2021. He also alerted the American people that he could drop his candidacy and run for Governor back in his original home state of New York in Cambridge. On April 29, 2021, Underwood formally filed paperwork and announced his candidacy for Cambridge Governor a day before his Presidency ended. Because of this, Underwood has put his plans aside for the Season 6 Presidential Election in order to focus of his gubernatorial campaign and to become the 1st Governor of Cambridge.

Underwood is expected to launch his gubernatorial campaign on May 1, 2021 in his hometown of Buffalo, New York.