What is it?
The Long Version:
Congress is patterned after debate in the United States Senate and House of Representatives. It involves 10 to 25 competitors in a round, headed by Presiding Officers, who manage the round and ensure that all competitors have an equal chance in the round.
A typical round will last about 2 hours. During that time, students give speeches 3 minutes in length. The first two speeches on a piece of legislation are known as the first advocacy and the first rejection. These speeches are followed by 2 minutes of cross examination. After the first pro and con speeches, each additional speaker will present their bill and will be subject to one minute of cross examination by the chamber. The Presiding Officer selects the members of the chamber to ask the questions of the speaker.
TL;DR:
Students make and vote on laws. They are more productive than actual elected officials.
Congress is patterned after debate in the United States Senate and House of Representatives. It involves 10 to 25 competitors in a round, headed by Presiding Officers, who manage the round and ensure that all competitors have an equal chance in the round.
A typical round will last about 2 hours. During that time, students give speeches 3 minutes in length. The first two speeches on a piece of legislation are known as the first advocacy and the first rejection. These speeches are followed by 2 minutes of cross examination. After the first pro and con speeches, each additional speaker will present their bill and will be subject to one minute of cross examination by the chamber. The Presiding Officer selects the members of the chamber to ask the questions of the speaker.
TL;DR:
Students make and vote on laws. They are more productive than actual elected officials.