“You write the bills. You cast the votes. You make the laws.”

Textbook accounts of how a bill becomes a law can never convey the passions of lawmaking.  Even viewing Congress in session fails to give you a sense of the heated debates that go on in committee hearings or the compromising done in back room meetings.

Congress 2012 – Midwest, Southeast, Ohio River Valley Recap

Congress 2012 – Mid-Atlantic and Texas Recap

Congress 2012 – Southern California Recap

Congress lets high school students experience the thrill of having their own legislation passed by Congress or the anguish of watching their bill defeated.  You will also have the opportunity to debate other student’s bills and to propose amendments to make them better or do your best to prevent a bad bill from becoming law.  At Congress you will experience everything from back room logrolling to the fiery speeches made on the floor of the House and Senate.

All high school students and teachers are invited to attend these simulations of the American political process.  You will learn how a bill becomes a law by being part of the process. To request brochures and postcards for Congress, please use this online form.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2011-2012.