Future Forum Holds Inaugural Youth Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On August 9, 2021 and August 10, 2021, Future Forum held their Inaugural Future Forum Youth Congress led by Chairman Darren Soto (FL-09) and Executive Director Bill Rockwood.

Young Americans across the country participated in the Youth Congress, which allowed participants to explore the inner workings of Congress, with the ultimate goal of giving them the tools to affect change in the future. The Youth Congress included committee meetings, hearings, debates, and simulated news events during bill proceedings. The experience was designed to mirror the legislative process as closely as possible so that our future leaders could get a glimpse of what real congressional sessions are like.

Participants were each assigned a committee appointment and two bills, based on areas of interest indicated by youth representatives. Committees included Judiciary, Education and Labor, and Energy and Commerce. Bills were preassigned and considered priorities to young citizens. They were asked to provide testimony in a legislative hearing - one in favor of an assigned bill and one in opposition to an assigned bill. Participants provided remarks and were responsible for votes during the committee hearing.

Chairman Soto, provided opening remarks on both days, worked directly with participants in their committees, and answered questions they had about his role as an elected official in Congress.

Interns from the offices of Chairman Soto (FL-09), Vice Chair Colin Allred (TX-32), Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03), Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49), Rep. Katie Porter (CA-45), and Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and were all in attendance.

By the end of the two-day session, participants were able to better understand how the legislative process works, while also networking with fellow House Interns from offices across the country.

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