This semester, Brooks undergraduate students stepped into the role of Congressional policy analysts tasked with navigating the complexities of the U.S. policy making process. Laura Tach, professor of public policy and sociology in the Brooks School and chair of the Sociology Department, designs her required course, PUBPOL 2301: Introduction to Public Policy, as a real-life exercise in policy analysis, during which student teams build vital skills in research, communication, and leadership through the semester.

“The purpose of the showcase is for the students to understand each of the steps necessary to create and implement new policy solutions,” said Tach. “It has been inspiring to see their dedication and growth over the course of the semester. I am confident that their insights and talents will help create a stronger, more thoughtful future for public policy.”

The experience culminates with the Congressional Showcase, a 12-minute oral presentation competition that mirrors a committee policy briefing on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate. 

Eight teams competed in the showcase, presenting policy recommendations on a range of issues including mitigating the effects of AI on the workforce, fixing school funding disparities, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. Each team was asked to identify two different policy options to address the problem, gather evidence on the likely consequences of each policy option, and ultimately make a recommendation about which of the two policy proposals should advance from committee to the House or Senate floor. 

Immediately following the presentations, the teams were allowed to “whip the vote,” engaging in on-the-fly lobbying efforts to convince their classmates to support their policy recommendation before a final vote was taken to declare the winner. This year’s winning team– Daniel Di Chiara ‘26, Dovany Estimphile ‘28, Nicole Gerber ‘25, Saumya Sia Narang ‘28, and Daniel Suh ‘28– argued for an end to mandatory minimum sentences for federal drug crimes. After conducting extensive research, they projected that ending mandatory minimums would reduce government spending and address historical discrimination without compromising public safety.