Project Description: In this project, the senior class was assigned to take on the roles of US Senators, write legislation, and conduct a mock senate meeting. During this, we split into two committees and analyzed and amended bills to try to get them out of committee. In the end, the bills were voted on by the entire senate. I held two roles during this project. I played US Democratic Senator Michael Bennet from Colorado as well as a lobbyists from an organization called Veteran's for Peace. During my senator role I held a seat on the Financial Committee, authored amendments, and voted in committee and on the floor. During my lobbyist role I gave a speech to the Finance Committee and answered questions from other senators.
Legislation: Because my role was a lobbyists, I was assigned to write a mock bill for the mock model senate that took place the day before our actual exhibition. This was a chance for us to get used to how the senate works and to practice parliamentary procedure. I wrote a bill with Dawson Zick called the Glitter Illegalization Act.
Speech: For my speech, I was in my lobbyist role and was addressing a bill about cutting military spending and redistributing the savings into veteran's benefits and education. I decided to lobby for a group called Veterans for Peace.
Reflection: This is a video reflection of my experience in Model Senate costarring Ellen Campbell.