Founded under the Constitution, the United States Senate had its first meeting on March 4, 1789. The Senate, the upper chamber of Congress, consists of 100 members. In the 118th Senate, the Democrats hold 48 seats and the Republicans hold 49, with the remaining 3 belonging to independent senators. The Senate’s goal is to produce legislation that influences both the American people and the government. Specifically, the Senate has the power to confirm presidential appointees, ratify treaties, and try impeachment cases.
To echo the words of former Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau, Canadians are “sleeping with an elephant”—the United States of America. Prospective Members of the Senate should have an eagerness to learn about the United States and the fundamental ways American political trends impact Canada, and a willingness to set aside ideological lines and form bipartisan groups of Republicans and Democrats to craft meaningful legislation. After thorough debate and research, delegates representing individual Senators will aim to write and present a bill which appeals to both sides of the aisle.
The U.S. Senate is undeniably one of the world’s legendary legislative bodies, and its sheer complexity is directly reflected in the challenging, yet rewarding nature of this committee. Bills passed in the Senate should be written in their entirety during the conference; no bills should be written in advance of the conference. Position papers are mandatory for all senators and must be submitted by January 22nd, 2024, at 23:59 PST. More information about position papers can be found on page 3 of the Background Guide.
Topic A: Healthcare Reform (Click to show summary)
Healthcare is an established but complex aspect of the United States. In recent years, there have been increasing disagreements regarding funding, discrimination, and communication associated with healthcare programs, sparking growing protests from citizens. Certain parts of the population believe that healthcare must be provided free of cost, while others believe it must be distributed based on how much an individual is willing to pay. Without a central consensus on healthcare, the aging country will suffer in both its healthcare system as well as in future infrastructure projects. It is of the utmost importance that this topic is discussed in order to prevent hindering America’s future generations.
Topic B: Public Education (Click to show summary)
The United States is a culmination of diverse households, with each possessing their own cultures and beliefs. Families hold different beliefs on what must be taught to their children and how this information is being conveyed. As a result, the topic of public education is extremely complex and multifaceted as it not only involves the parents but also the government’s education system. Several reports have suggested that parents willingly put their children in the system in the hopes of a well-rounded education. In order to support the trust of the taxpayers and to ensure a positive outcome for the country’s future, the public education program must be reformed.
Emily Mo | President of the Senate
Emily Mo is a Grade 12 student at Inglemoor High School and is beyond honoured to be serving as your Director for the U.S. Senate. Raised in the land of the free, she began her Model UN career in American conferences. She naturally stood out amongst delegates with her charming charisma and captivating speeches. One day, an equally remarkable delegate from Canada, caught her eye. He was a blazing inferno, a supernova of attractiveness, a sizzling masterpiece, an enigmatic force of nature. Nonetheless, Emily was captivated. Through committee session, she couldn’t help but glance in his relentless direction. Emily was just about to approach him during break when he informed the dais that he urgently needed to use the bathroom. He never went back. This inspired Emily to become involved in VMUN, in search of this mysterious Canadian man in his hometown. Emily hopes to see you there!
Rishi Cherian | Chair
Rishi Cherian is a Grade 12 student at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Washington and is overjoyed to serve as Chair of the United States Senate for VMUN 2024! Four years ago, Rishi walked into his first conference completely unaware of what Model United Nations entailed. He left the conference that evening with a newly-found passion for the diplomacy, fast-paced debate, and constant collaboration that MUN has to offer. Now, he cannot even fathom what his high school life would look like if it weren’t for MUN. From the sixteen conferences he has attended, Rishi has met so many wonderful people and made lifelong memories. Outside of MUN, Rishi can be found playing the piano, or, as a huge Seattle Sounders fan, watching soccer. Rishi cannot wait to meet you all at VMUN!
Betty Roberts | Assistant Director
Betty Roberts is a Grade 12 student at Bellarmine Preparatory and is beyond excited to serve as the Assistant Director for the US Senate at VMUN 2024. Coming from a small school, Betty joined MUN as a scared freshman, looking for a chance to make friends. Little did she know that Model UN would become integral to her high school experience and help her meet some of her best friends. When she is not furiously editing papers or taking Monkeytype tests with the rest of her dais, she can often be found with her nose in a book! Her current favourite novel is Red, White & Royal Blue, but she always appreciates more book recommendations. Betty is beyond excited to meet all the delegates and hopes they will have an exciting and patriotic experience in the US Senate.
You can contact the Director at senate@vmun.com. Any questions regarding the committee or its debate procedures will be answered by email. Position papers must also be submitted to this address.