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Home  News Summer School Students Learn Inner Workings of Congress
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Summer School Students Learn Inner Workings of Congress |
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Thursday, 18 June 2009 |
 Capitol Hill was buzzing with activity as Junior Statesmen Summer School students spent the day getting an in-depth lesson on Congress and today’s most pressing issues. The Capitol Hill Speakers Program featured political power players discussing issues ranging from health care reform to the invasion of Iraq and privacy rights with the students.
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) kicked off an intense discussion by addressing the quintessential question of when life begins. Rep. John Culberson (R-TX), outlined his conservative views on constitutional powers. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) joined the students as a special guest and met all of the students from California.
Two speakers addressed critical questions of war and peace. The students got a stark contrast of perspectives from former Congressman Tom Andrews, the founder of Win Without War, an advocacy group opposing the militarization of U.S. foreign policy, and, Nick Calio, a powerful Citigroup lobbyist and member of the White House Iraq Group in charge of coordinating all executive branch elements in run-up to the Iraq invasion.
Rounding out the program were well-respected lobbyist and former Congressman Vic Fazio, and Peter Loge, Special Assistant to Congressman Steve Kagen who discussed the current federal health care reform efforts.
The discussions underscored the difficulty of passing any legislation that takes into account the countless public interests involved, and highlighted the current policy debates going on Congress this week. The students impressed our speakers with tough, well-informed questions and their knowledge of history and current issues.
The program was held in the Congressional Auditorium at the new Capitol Visitors Center. We’d like to offer a special thank you to the speakers that addressed our students, as well as to Rep. Christopher Van Hollen for sponsoring us during our afternoon program on the Hill.
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