Friday, July 17, 2015

SPS 2015: Mock Congressional Debate

Throughout the course of the session, the students of the St. Albans School of Public Service Class of 2015 worked in small groups on a mock legislation project.  Initially, they played the roles of private "issue advocacy groups": groups seeking to promote a policy change (in the areas of energy, immigration, social security, firearms, health care, and education) by drafting legislation, lining up "Congressional" support, issuing a "press release" and holding "press conferences" on behalf of their proposed legislation.  On the final full day of the SPS session, SPS '15 changed hats and became U.S. Senators debating each of the six bills.  The debate was lively and entertaining, and showed that SPS '15 not only knew their stuff but may have a future in politics if they choose!