Senate Committee Member Government

In the simulation, you will:

• propose an amendment to the bill under discussion, and/or
• vote on a bill

A committee is a group of Senators who have been assigned to examine a bill. It is made up of members from both the Government and the opposition. Committee members study the bill in depth, hear from witnesses and use their expertise to refine its content. They also write a report, which may suggest amendments (changes).

As a committee member from the governing party, you may be asked to answer questions about the Government’s actions and policies. Since a committee is a smaller group, discussions can proceed more quickly than they would in the Senate Chamber.

You will have the opportunity to propose an amendment to the bill. The committee will vote on the amendment and, if it passes, it will become part of the bill.