The German Reichsrat (literally "Imperial Council"; pronounced [ʀaɪ̯çsʁaːt]) is a legislative body that represents the thirty-seven Länder (federal states) of Germany at the federal level. It has its seat at the former Prussian House of Lords in Berlin. The Reichsrat co-decides about federal laws that affect Länder competences, and has the responsibility for passing treaties negotiated by the Emperor. Foreign commentators tend to compare it to upper houses such as the U.S. Senate or the House of Lords in the United Kingdom.