The HUES Policy Primer - Final Edition

Women's Policy Primer

A flexible guide to how our leaders make rules and how YOU can help!

The Power List & New Words

Our big book of rules, the Constitution, gives Congress special powers. Here are some terms you should know:

ConstituentThat is you! A person who lives in a leader's area.
BipartisanWhen two different groups work together on one plan.
LobbyingTrying to convince a leader to vote for or against a plan.
QuorumThe minimum number of leaders needed to be present for a vote.

The Numbers: Women in Leadership

Today, more women are serving in government than ever before! Here is how things look right now:

28% Congress
33% State Leg
24% Mayors

The Two Rooms of Congress

Our Congress is Bicameral. That means it has two rooms that have to agree on every plan.

The House

The "Big Room." It has 435 people. The more neighbors you have, the more leaders you have here!

The Senate

The "Small Room." Every state gets exactly 2 leaders, no matter how many people live there.

The School Clubs: Legislative Committees

Congress breaks into small groups called Committees to talk about specific topics.

StandingThe Permanent Clubs that stay around to look at big things like Health.
SelectThe Special Project Clubs created for a short time to fix one problem.
JointThe Mixed Clubs where people from both rooms work together.

The Relay Race: From Idea to Law

1
Introduction: An idea is written down and becomes a Bill.
2
Committee Review: A small club checks the plan for mistakes.
3
The Debate: Leaders argue about whether the plan is fair.
4
The Vote: If they say Yes, the other room repeats the process.
5
Compromise: Both rooms meet to find a middle ground.
6
The Leader's Desk: The final plan gets a signature or a Veto.
Where Bills can stop:
  • If the Committee says No.
  • If leaders cannot reach a Compromise.
  • If the Governor or President uses a Veto.

You are the Leader!

A Bill is on your desk to provide free snacks for every school. How do you vote?

Public Opinion: The Butter Fight

Laws change when Public Opinion changes. A long time ago, butter farmers made laws to tax margarine and even made it look pink so people wouldn't buy it!

Neighbors got loud and shared their opinions, and eventually, those unfair rules were erased. Speaking up works!

Find Your Leaders!

Find Your Representative Here
HUES Policy Primer

© 2025 | Women's Health Equity Project

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