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Archives for July 2020

Red, White and Blonde: What Elle Woods Didn’t Tell You About Life in our Nation’s Capital

13Jul

Before moving to Washington D.C. for six weeks, I had only visited once. Therefore, most of my expectations came from Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde.” While I might not be fighting for my dog’s mother to be released from a research lab (although, what a noble cause, am I right??), I am here to learn how policy comes to fruition. While there is a lot that Elle got right when it comes to life on The Hill, I’m here to clue you in on a few things she got wrong.

One of the biggest misconceptions about D.C. is that to be successful here you can only advance by being cutthroat, ruthless, and greedy. That thought could not be further from the truth. The movie portrays Elle working in a representative’s office for months on a bill, only to be undercut at the end, due to the congresswoman needing to please her campaign sponsors. After only one week of personally working on The Hill, it is easy to see how much the staff and representatives want to work together to try and pass good policies. This is not to be confused with everyone getting along perfectly, but I have been pleasantly surprised at the bi-partisanship I have seen after only five days in the office. Another interesting take on the matter is that jobs as a staffer in the House are not a typical nine-to-five position that someone gets to pay the bills. Frankly, these people could probably make more money somewhere else, but their passion about certain topics and belief that this is where they need to be make it such a special work dynamic. I think that the passion the people here have is something that truly embodies the American dream. I have learned there are so many people here that, like me, believe in something greater than themselves.

Another aspect Elle Woods seemingly forgets to mention is the cost of living in the D.C. area. I learned very quickly that grabbing a few things from the grocery store will add about $20 more than what I would spend in Texas. I suppose it is a good thing I’m used to living the broke college kid life! But seriously, I think one blonde to another Elle should have mentioned all the money I would have to shell out to eat. I mean, can’t a girl get an HEB on the East Coast??

The BIGGEST thing Elle left out is how she made herself look more glamorous by walking around The Hill all day without getting blisters the size of Alaska on her feet. On my first day, I even made sure to wear flats, but unfortunately, fell victim to the most stereotypical intern problem. Some would say that Elle Woods’ biggest accomplishment was passing Bruisers Bill, but if you ask me, it is the fact that she could make it even one day on The Hill in her sky-high pumps without getting blisters.

While some of the things on my list are negative, I do not want it to overshadow how much I absolutely love living and working in our nation’s capital. I can see why Elle Woods loved being here so much. After one week in the office, I am sure now more than ever that policy is where I want to take my career after college. This blonde with blistered feet and big dreams is excited to see where this experience will take her!

Harlea Hoelscher
House Committee on Agriculture – minority office
Washington, D.C. | summer 2020

What to do When Everything is Closed during a Global Pandemic

13Jul

Must-see museums are closed, access to government buildings is limited, famous restaurants have closed their doors, and the metro has modified operating hours. What do we do now?

Interns in the Nation’s Capital typically see the hustle and bustle of a town on a mission. Housing the nation’s elected officials, top military leaders, numerous special interest groups, policymakers, and policy enforcers, Washington D.C. is usually packed full of events and exciting places to see. The current pandemic poses some changes to this typical schedule. However, with a little insight, there is still much to take advantage of in the capital!

Be sure to strap on your mask, and let’s see D.C.!

  1. Catch up on policy topics and the news

Whether it is watching the nightly news, tuning into your favorite podcast, reading the latest twitter post, or doing some background research, there is no better place to become more knowledgeable about current events and policy. If you are looking for more information, reach out to legislative assistants or other interns that can give you the up-to-date information on what is happening in the legislature. Pro tip! If you have friends in other congressional offices and special interest groups, it is a great conversation starter to see how their offices are approaching current policies or legislation.

  1. Reach out to a mentor or make a new connection

Emails, phone calls, zoom meetings, or even a walk in a local park! Washington D.C. is centered around networking and exploring new professions. If there is someone in town that has an interesting job or is an expert in a subject that intrigues you, do not hesitate to reach out to them. Typically, these opportunities to connect with other professionals are centered around grabbing coffee, but socially distancing is calling for a bit of creativity. We are all living in an odd time, and they will be impressed to see the effort you put in to meeting them!

  1. Read a book

With lots of beautiful parks and open spaces, picking up a book is never a bad idea. Even if you want to stay inside for a day, reading is a great way to relax and decrease your screen time.

  1. Beach Day! But make it socially distant

Maryland and Virginia are both known for some beautiful coastlines. If you or a fellow intern have the means to drive, do a little exploring and take a day trip to the coast. I recommend, if you are looking for a quiet beach, check out Bethany Beach in Delaware. It is about a 2-hour drive, but the countryside is beautiful to see on your way there! Pro tip! Invite interns from other schools or offices. They are wanting to explore and have fun during their internship just as much as you!

  1. Explore the Mall

Coronavirus, or not, exploring the National Mall is a must in D.C. With lots of open space, the National Mall allows you to see many of the historic buildings, monuments, and memorials that provide insight into American history. Evening walks down The Hill and night-time tours of the Washington Monument, World War II, Lincoln, Korean War, and Vietnam War Memorials are spectacular and humbling. But be careful! The metro only runs until 9:00 P.M.

  1. Bonus! Happy Independence Day!

If you find yourself in Washington D.C. on the 4th of July, the fireworks display on the National Mall is worth considering. In my opinion, they are spectacular! Be sure to arrive very early to get good seats away from other spectators. Also, a picnic blanket and cards (or dominos for our 42 friends, WHOOP!) are necessary for proper intern entertainment.

Let me leave you with these final words: Appreciate the time you have here and make the most of it! This is a situation unlike any other in recent history, and very few people will be able to say that they saw their government work under these conditions. It is different, but you are seeing history being made every single day. Stay safe and enjoy your time!

Shelby Lepley
Office of Congressman Kevin Brady
Washington, D.C. | summer 2020

District vs. D.C. Experience

13Jul

In June I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work in my Congressman’s local district office, located in my hometown. In July I began working in the office in Washington, D.C. Since then I have learned about the different types of work that the offices of a member of Congress perform on a daily basis.

The Member usually has two to three offices in their district dedicated to helping constituents. Employees are usually referred to as constituent liaisons or caseworkers since they work directly with constituents, recording their concerns or making congressional inquiries on their behalf for cases involving federal agencies. The district director oversees the district operations and is the most direct link to the DC office.

The DC office is headed by the Chief of Staff. The communications director, scheduler, staff assistant, legislative assistants, legislative director, and of course interns work there as well. While a significant portion of time is still spent addressing constituent concerns through phone and mail, the main focus of the D.C. office is legislative policy. Legislation is created, researched, and evaluated in the Capitol.

A Representative’s job is ultimately to represent and lead the country on behalf of their constituents. They support their constituents on a more personal level by aiding in casework. They help people get their stimulus check, tax returns, or Social Security when system errors and red tape have backlogged their case. This makes a real impact in people’s lives on an individual basis. Yet, the representative also supports their constituents on a community level by passing policies supporting their interests. They can have a widespread positive impact by working to pass bills and lasting policies.

I have enjoyed experiencing the different offices of the House of Representatives and have seen how politicians can help people on both small and large scales.

Hannah Neighbors
Office of Congressman Randy Weber
Washington, D.C. | summer 2020

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