Good question!

One of my favorite things during Youth Tour is the time we spend on Capitol Hill meeting with our elected officials. The excitement of just being at the US Capitol is palatable. Students from Iowa do a great job asking questions and discussing issues that are important to them.

 

Here are some of the AWESOME questions we’ve heard over the years:

• I have friends that tell me not to bother getting involved in politics/grassroots activities because Congress doesn’t care what the youth think. It is senior citizens that vote and not the youth. Congressman, what sort of answer should I give to my friends?
• How do we ensure that rural America does not lose its voice in Congress despite the decrease in population?
• Energy is a hot topic in the news lately. How is Congress addressing our energy needs?
• How can we balance our growing energy needs in an environmentally sensitive way?
• How can we increase the number of jobs and spur economic development in my town? 
• What is the impact of budget deficits on domestic programs? Education? Health care? Agriculture?
• What has Congress done to make higher education more affordable?
• Watching the news, there seems to be a never-ending conflict between Democrats and Republicans. Is this partisanship harmful to the country? Do you have friends across the political aisle?
• When you were our age, did you want to be a legislator? What was your career path to Congress?
• How do you balance living all the way in Washington, D.C., with representing people like me in rural Iowa?
• What can we do to become better leaders in our community?

I feel certain that our future is in good hands!