Overview of HMC Programs
HMC staff and delegates are organized into three programs: the House of Representatives, the Senate and Special Programs. These three programs are each directed by the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate and the Director of Special Programs, respectively. The House and Senate are each comprised of 12 committees. At Harvard Model Congress, delegates participate in four committee sessions, drafting legislation during informal caucuses, and discussing, amending, and voting on bills during formal debate. Committee sessions allow students to experience both the thrill and occasional disappointment of creating laws. Each committee is coordinated by three Harvard undergraduates—a Chair and two Vice Chairs. Bills that pass in an individual committee are put on the docket for Full Session where the committees come together and must collectively pass bills from committee in both the Full Senate and the Full House in order for the bills to be passed to the president's desk for his signature or veto.
While Senators and Representatives have a direct hand in drafting legislation and moving it to the president's desk, delegates participating in one of HMC's many Special Programs play an equally interesting role in the governing process. Delegates participating in one of our special program committees have their own role whether it be passing down judgments from the Supreme or District Court, advising the president on how best to approach national security concerns in the National Security Council, attempting to influence a senator's vote as a lobbyist or uncovering the truth with the different media groups, special program committees vary widely but all add to the simulation a more realistic and interesting angle.
