PSC 305 Committee Simulation

The purpose of the committee simulation is to (a) better understand the committee hearing and mark-up process and (b) to encourage students to understand the important institutional role that committees have in shaping legislation before it reaches the floor of the House or Senate.

The stages in the simulation are as follows:

Monday:

Topic - Students will agree upon a specific topic to be considered.

Make-up of the Committee – Students will be assigned seats on the committee and divided into majority and minority parties.

Tuesday:

Research – Students will present research on one bill introduced in the 106^th Congress that they would like the Committee to consider. The bill will be within the topic area selected by students on Monday. Research will include (a) a bill summary (b) an article on the bill from Congressional Quarterly (if available) and (c) a press release from the member of Congress who introduced the legislation (if available, check the members’ web site). I encourage you to select bills of moderate length!

Interest Groups – 2 students will be assigned to represent interest groups in a congressional hearing on Wednesday. These students will have to present short (3 minute) statements on why their group favors/opposes the legislation in question and what changes they would recommend/demand. Other committee members will be asked to prepare 2 minute statements and list of questions to ask interest group representatives at the hearing.

Wednesday:

Hearing – Interest group representatives will present 3 minute statements on why their group favors/opposes the legislation being considered and what changes they would recommend. Members of the committee will present 2-minute statements and have a list of 5 questions to ask interest group representatives at the hearing.

Thursday:

Mark-up and vote - Members should prepare at least one amendment (in writing) to offer during the mark-up.