Senate Insider: What do they do?

By: Bella Bauman

Senate is just one of the four branches of Youth In Government a delegate can participate in. If a delegate has already been in the Legislative branch’s Assembly, Senate is a great option to step up and try something new.

Here are a few comments from delegates who have participated in Senate, and their advice to those who are pondering which branch to join. Delegate VanderLinden offers her account of Senate, where she recounts how the Senate is slightly different from the other Legislative groups. Since most of the Senate delegates are veterans of Youth In Government, their bills tend to be more controversial with many different viewpoints.

With a few more years under their belt, many delegates feel less afraid to speak their mind (while still staying respectful: reference Staying Calm with Controversy: How to Handle “Hot Water” Senate Bills) and debate with more critical thinking. She also reveals that when coming up with a topic for her bill, Delegate VanderLinden is able to reflect on her own personal experiences and grievances. While still having accurate facts and data, she is able to come from a place of feeling, making her argument that much more deep and heartfelt. She finds that appealing to the emotions of the audience will make a bill that much more likely for other delegates to vote pro instead of con. 

Another delegate imparted her wisdom of the inner workings of the Senate: Delegate Snyder. Snyder has many of the same observations and opinions as Delegate VanderLinden, and despite coming from a different delegation, these two delegates share many of the same ideas as each other, highlighting how just because someone comes from a different delegation, the core ideas and processes of Youth In Government remain.

Delegate Snyder, similarly to Delegate VanderLinden, states that the bill writing process for Senate is similar to Assembly with definitions and proposals for action, however, the topics tend to be more profound and address deeper, more controversial topics. She also believes that the smaller group of Senate leads to heightened debatability, because these delegates have prior experience and less fear to argue their opinions. Delegate Snyder then gave an overview of her Senate bill and what inspired her to write it. She believes the best bills are the ones that have the most impact on Wisconsin as a whole. A delegate may have an amazing bill, but it will not get passed if the senators do not think it is necessary for Wisconsin. That is why Delegate Snyder has reflected upon her own personal experiences to find an idea for a topic that will have the most positive impact on the citizens of Wisconsin. 

If one is looking to take the next step within the Legislative branch, the Senate is for any delegate who wishes to advance their debate and critical thinking skills with bills that are more profound, emotional, and impactful.