Intern Blog: Spring 2010

Each week the interns in my Washington, DC, office share some of their thoughts, experiences and impressions about their internship. On this page, you will find entries from the interns who are working in my office in the current semester.  To read entries from previous semesters, please visit the Intern Blog Archives.

April 6, 2010

Things in the office have been rather slow this week while the Senate is in recess and Senator is back in Idaho.  In some ways, it has served as a respite from the rapid fire of the past month and, in other ways, it has proved to be an ordeal of its own.  Finding enough productive activities to stay busy throughout the day is not always easy.  Outside the office, things are really beautiful with the cherry blossoms fully out, the flowers and green grass everywhere. 

Tourist season has seemingly kicked into high gear and now all the museums and interesting buildings are full of people.  In a lot of ways, the congressional office buildings seem like islands of idleness surrounded by activity. 

There have been a few eventful moments in the past week including an evacuation drill conducted by the Capitol Police, who expressed great interest in our ability to find a building exit quickly.  Considering most of the staffers appear to take initiative and practice this drill on their own daily, I’m not convinced that we needed that much more practice. 

In a way, I’m disappointed that they chose to conduct this drill at a time when none of the senators were here.  Really, shouldn’t one of the main goals of this safety stuff be to protect VIPs like the Senators? Also, one of the biggest challenges in times of evacuation is dealing with the elderly and mobility-impaired, and I must say that I have far less concern about the ability of a bunch of 30-something staffers to get out of Dodge than a collection of 60- and 70-year-olds.  A truly effective safety drill would have focused on these types of issues and made sure that the Senators were completely involved in the evacuation procedure.  I wonder why they chose not to do it that way (introspective pause). 

Anyway, all in all things are going really well and I am looking forward to finishing out this week and then seeing the chaos ensue when the Senators return; battle royal 2.0, financial reform.

Alex, Boise State University, Nampa.

March 31, 2010

Things have been great these last few days! Holly and I were able to attend a performance of Little Shop of Horrors at Ford’s Theater. It was a great show! It’s been one of my favorite musicals for years, so I was especially excited to see it, and take Holly to experience it as well.  The theater is beautiful, and it was really neat to be able to attend a show inside the theater.

I also took a tour of the Pentagon, which was a great way to spend my morning. The tour guides had a lot of really interesting information about the architecture, art work, and history of the building. It’s definitely worth checking out, and I am really glad I got to go.  

The best part of my last week though was going home to Idaho to see my family. I love living in DC, and have been enjoying my time here immensely, but I do miss seeing my family regularly. I left the office a few hours early on Thursday, and got home to Rexburg at 4:30 in the morning. I spent all Friday and Saturday spending time with family, and a few close friends, and then left early Sunday morning to fly back to the city. When I left DC, the weather was beautiful, in the 60s. On Friday in Idaho, it snowed. It was a great trip home, and it was really good to see everyone. It helped me appreciate things there in Idaho a little more, as well as the opportunities I have here in DC. Overall, it’s been a great few days, and I’ve been loving it! 

Ashley, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg.

March 29, 2010

Spring was in the air.  Although it’s turned a bit cooler and rainier than last week, it’s still been pretty nice.  I have about three weeks left in the office, so I’ve tried to cram as much sightseeing in as possible.

This past week I went with Ashley to see Little Shop of Horrors at Ford’s Theatre.  I’d never seen it before, and I loved it, which made Ashley very happy because it’s one of her favorites.  I was very honored to accompany her on such a momentous occasion.  We also went on a tour of the Pentagon, which was really interesting.  I love that building, and it’s my new occupational goal to work there…well, more of a dream.  Cherry blossoms are everywhere, and it’s beautiful!  On Saturday I went to the annual Kite Festival and the Air and Space Museum.  Although the American History Museum is still my favorite, Air and Space is probably the coolest. 

Things in the office have calmed down a bit after the passage of the health care bills.  We’re now in recess, and it’s definitely much quieter.  It’s been such an experience to be in Washington, DC when history is being made.  I’ve learned so much, and I’m so grateful to be here. 

Holly, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rupert.

March 26, 2010

All I can say about this week is that it has truly been historic.  The health care bill and its companion reconciliation bill passed both the House and the Senate and made a late night for many staffers.  It has been a unique experience to be here during this time because I get to view this whole escapade from the minority point of view.  As the minority it is difficult to stop many things from being passed, but there is comfort in knowing that the minority will not always be the minority.  I think that is the amazing thing about our representative democracy.

The four interns left in our office also had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Senator Crapo on Thursday.  It was very fulfilling to have him thank us for the work we do.  He also gave us some great insight into his own journey to becoming a U.S. Senator.  As a lifelong citizen of Idaho, it was great to meet the person who is the voice for so many Idahoans. 

Lastly, I feel the need to express just how beneficial an internship in Senator Crapo’s office can be.  It hasn’t always been easy, but you truly become part of a group who is willing to support and teach you.  You can be active in learning the issues that affect our nation.  Sometimes you even get to brush by a Senator or two.  It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. 

Blake, BYU-Idaho, Carey

March 17, 2010

I love springtime! It is my favorite season, and I’m so excited for springtime in DC. The weather has been nearly perfect. There has been a lot of sunshine, and a lot of rain. All I need now is a true thunderstorm to make the season perfect. Well, that and a middle of the day rainstorm while the sun is shining. I love walking around and seeing the flowers beginning to bloom, the leaves budding on the trees, and hearing birds sing as I start my morning. Today the weather was warm enough that Holly and I took our lunch to the grassy area just outside the office building for a picnic outside. It was wonderful! I grew up in the western part of Seattle, Washington and I love the rain and springtime weather. Although I love Idaho, and think it is beautiful, I have missed spring. Idaho winters last into the spring season, and we often only have a few days of spring. Although I am loving the weather, it is a surprise to walk outside in the middle of March to 60 degree weather. It’s quite the difference!

Ashley, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg.

March 10, 2010

There is not much new to report from me. Things have settled into a basic routine around the office. Although what I do every day is a little bit different from the days before, I feel that I have settled into my role here well. I very much enjoy working here, and like the jobs I am given, and the people I work with.

 I’ve started giving more Capitol Tours as the season picks up, and I love it. I am always grateful for an excuse to walk through and explore that building, and I find something new every time to be awed by. If you haven’t been through the Capitol before, I strongly recommend you give it a chance. It doesn’t matter how many times I walk into the Rotunda or the old chambers. I am always struck by a sense of majesty and history and I love being surrounded by all that is there.  

Ashley, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg.

March 1, 2010

The past week has been great, filled with many exciting opportunities.  Last Tuesday, I got to go with Marques to tape the Senator giving a speech at the NEI Nuclear R&D Summit.  I love being able to see the Senator interact with others and put his ideas and thoughts about certain issues out to the public. It helps me realize the time and effort he puts into all of his endeavors to ensure that he is up-to-date on everything and able to answer questions to the best of his ability.  Nuclear energy is definitely not one of my strong points, so I loved going and learning a lot of new information.

Today I went to a luncheon held by the Latino Leaders Network.  Jose Hernandez, a NASA astronaut and member of the recent STS-128 mission, was the keynote speaker.  He told of his childhood of traveling with his family as migrant farmhands and the struggles his family faced and his journey of making it to NASA.  He stressed the importance of children following their dreams and not allowing circumstances to get in their way. 

I also went to Ray’s Hell Burger this weekend (which Ben discussed earlier).  Best burger ever!  I highly suggest it to anyone in the area. 

Holly, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rupert.

February 25, 2010

It's my second last day today which is obviously quite sad. However this moment presents me with a chance to reflect on my internship. I know it is cliché but the time here has truly gone by too fast, bringing truth to the statement that time indeed does fly when you're having fun.

There are many memories that could be considered "favorites" of my internship so simply naming one will not suffice. Perhaps the best part for me personally has been the opportunity to see the Senator frequently as he travels from meeting to meeting right past me. Every time I see Senator Crapo walk past and exchange a greeting with me I still get a beaming smile on my face-–and he knows it. Being in the Scheduling office has given me a unique perspective on the life of a Senator; their roles and responsibilities but also the high demand and esteem they are held in. Karen said something that I thought was quite poignant when handing me the Schedule Cards one day, "you get to see things that no one else does, this card right here, that's the Senator's life." She was right, and I feel so lucky being able to have this opportunity.  

I have learnt about how the U.S. Congress works and been given a formidable insider's perspective. I have also had the opportunity to travel around your beautiful country and absorb the history and culture that shapes this great nation.  

Thank you to all Senator Crapo’s staff; you have welcomed me so graciously into the office and made my time here truly memorable. My two months here will be an experience that I shall remember for the rest of my life.  

Ben, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

February 25, 2010

This has been a very hectic week with many changes.  Ben, one of our fellow friends will be leaving us at the end of this week to head back to Australia.  Even though he has been here barely two months it has been great to know him and talk about Aussie and Kiwi culture.  Cheers Mate!  He has also helped this week to train me in the position that he has filled as scheduling intern.  He has done a great job training me and I feel confident that I can do my part to help Senator Crapo keep a full schedule.

I am especially glad that the weather is starting to warm up here.  I don’t know if it is actually getting warmer, but at the least it is sunnier.  It is interesting to see how much more sun can really affect your mood, especially during winter. 

Perhaps one of the unique experiences I have had during my internship is to be married and doing an internship on Capitol Hill.  There may be a few of you who are married and contemplating whether or not a Congressional internship in Washington D.C. is possible given how poor most newly married couples are.  I admit it has been difficult to make ends meet, but somehow we have made things work.  It has been great to work in a paid internship because you know you can have a steady income even if your spouse doesn’t work.  Don’t be afraid of how everything will work.  A D.C. Congressional Internship will help you and your spouse in ways you can’t imagine.

Blake, BYU-Idaho, Carey

February 24, 2010

Today has been a really exciting day for me. I woke up early, and stood outside in the cold for over an hour today. My fingers froze and my feet went completely numb, but it was more than worth it. After waiting outside in the cold, I was able to go in and listen to oral arguments before the Supreme Court today. It was amazing! Watching the Justices interact with the legal counsel was incredible. The personality of each Justice came out through their interrogation style. It was interesting to watch the different way each Justice handled the presentation of arguments, the questions, and the responses. It was such a great experience for me, and I will definitely want to do it again.

I don’t know if people from this area would agree with me, but it has been interesting to watch how quickly the snow melts out here. In Idaho, the snow falls, and the snow stays. There are often piles of snow around several weeks or longer after the last snow fall. The temperature has been quite warm, all things considered, and it has rained since the large snowfall, and a lot of the snow is already gone. There are still large piles scattered about from plows and drifts, but a large quantity of the snow that wasn’t all piled into one place is gone. Very little of it seemed to freeze into the ice sheets that I am used to and it just doesn’t seem to want to stick around. Not that I’m complaining or anything, but it’s a lot different than I’m used to seeing.  

Things continue to go well out here, and I am still loving the internship. To anyone considering an application, I say go for it!!  

Ashley, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg.

February 23, 2010

As this week progresses and the rain continues to consume the grubby grey snow banks left over from our bout with the old man winter, things appear to be nearly back to normal.  The Senate is back in session this week and the halls of the Capitol and office buildings are filled with people bustling about.  Our office is back to normal as well, Mandi and Rachel are back from their intern recruiting trip and Ryan is back from vacation so it's all hands on deck here in DC.

Before leaving, Rachel asked me to try and keep our incoming letters organized into the proper categories on a daily basis to ensure that they didn't get too backed up while she was in Idaho.  That assignment took up a fair amount of my time last week as did drafting letters in response to individuals who e-mail our office. 

In addition to dealing with the correspondence of the office, I have been given more opportunities recently to conduct Capitol tours for constituents and others who visit the office.  I personally think this is one of the most enjoyable tasks to which I have been assigned as an intern.  It has often been said that the best way to learn something is to teach it, I would have to agree with that.  The desire to be able to give an enjoyable tour has lead me to study and note the history of the building and the actual time spent in the building has been very informative as well.  I personally had a breakthrough in this area the other day when I conducted an entire Capitol tour without once getting lost or turned around.  That may not sound like much but to me at least it's a big deal. 

Overall, things right now really seem to be going well from my perspective (thoughts on current legislation aside).  I have been told that. as the spring unfolds. things are likely to become crazed and hectic as the tourist season starts and legislators begin posturing in preparation for the elections this November.  While some are developing looks of apprehension at the thought of spring, I'm looking forward to it and seeing this city come alive.  I may regret those words later but we’ll see. 

Alex, Boise State University, Nampa.     

February 19, 2010

Washington D.C. has survived the snow that has fallen over the past two weeks, in what has been termed as “Snowmageddon”.  After a full week off from work, I was more than anxious to come back to work this week.  Luckily, the Senate is in its State Work Period, and we have a week to get back in the flow of things.

This week I have spent a lot of time handling the regular routines that one of our Staff Assistants usually handles, but she is in Idaho.  I have been able to schedule and prepare for tours coming up in the next couple of months.  I also help verify whether people will be attending our weekly Constituent Coffee.  It has kept me very busy and has helped me gain a new appreciation for the work that is done to ensure Idahoans enjoy their visit to Washington D.C.

As the sun begins to make an appearance, there are also more people coming through our office for tours.  The Capitol Building has become much more familiar.  As an intern it is a great experience to lead tours because you get to add your own personal flavor to the experience.  I look forward to many more interesting experiences as tour season heats up.

Blake, BYU-Idaho, Carey.

February 18, 2010

We finally got back to work after "Snowmageddon" and a unprecedented four straight days off work. The snow really cut my internship down which is disappointing. Although the snow was fun for the first day, I found myself yearning to get out of the apartment after the novelty had worn off. It’s just kind of inconvenient now.

So, instead of having a relaxed recess week we are chasing our tails in the scheduling department as the government shutdown wreaked havoc with Senator Crapo’s schedule. Not to worry though, Karen is super-efficient and we’ve caught up. Last Friday I had a surprise run in with Luke at Ray’s Hell Burger; word obviously gets around that the burgers there are awesome – they are by the way!

As there’s not much to report on the work front because of the snow, I may as well tell you about my recent extra-curricular activities. I went with three other Aussies to Chicago for the long weekend. We had a calorie overload: deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, Chicago-style hotdogs, pancakes with bacon bits, Guinness-glazed bacon double cheeseburgers. You name it, we ate it. Of course we packed in a lot of touristy stuff (it wasn’t all eating). Ascending the Sears Tower, walking through Millennium Park, cruising the Magnificent Mile, checking out the Navy Pier, visiting the University of Chicago Economics Department (most Nobel prizes per square mile in the world), and seeing a good live jazz show. It was a great experience in a cool city.  

Ben, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

February 17, 2010

Things have been pretty crazy around here for the last two weeks. I haven’t seen this much snow at once in a long time. We got to leave the office early on Friday, and didn’t come back for a full week. Monday and Tuesday were great. I was able to stay home, take a break, and it was great. Everything a snow day should be. By Wednesday and Thursday, I was bored out of my mind. I ended up reading. A lot. I love to read, but spending 6 days with almost nothing else to do, even reading gets old. It was great to go to work on Friday because it gave me something to do, and a reason to get out of the house.

After work on Friday, I went with my roommates to New York City for President’s Day weekend, and it was amazing. There was so much to see and do. I love living out here, because there is so much access to really neat places with lots of history. I spent most of Saturday shopping in downtown before seeing a show on Broadway, spent Sunday afternoon on Liberty and Ellis Island, and spent Monday walking in Central Park. It was amazing.

I’m excited for this weekend as well. Hopefully there will be no more snow, and I will have a chance to spend Saturday in DC going through some of the museums I haven’t had a chance to see yet. The American History Museum is amazing, but I’ve only managed to make it through the first floor. Hopefully I’ll be able to see a lot before I leave. With so many amazing things to do, it’s hard to decide what’s most important.  

Ashley, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg.

February 16, 2010

Wow.  It’s been quite a few weeks since my last entry, but they’ve all been very exciting.

On February 4th, I had the opportunity of being an usher at the National Prayer Breakfast.  What an experience!  There were many political and religious leaders who gathered together to show appreciation for the blessing of prayer in their lives.  I was able to listen to the President and Secretary Clinton among many other political leaders and loved every minute of it.   

I was also very lucky to be able to be a part of the notorious “Snowmaggedon.”  It was crazy!  I may be from Idaho, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much snow.  It’s been nice to have a bit of a relaxing break, but it’s also great to be back at work.  After being stuck in the house for 8 days, it gets to be a bit monotonous.  I did venture the weather long enough to make a snowman.

This weekend was President’s Day weekend and also my birthday, so my roommates and I took a trip to New York City.  We had a blast!  Although our bus broke down right outside the Lincoln Tunnel before we entered the city, we didn’t let that stop us.  We went to Saks, of course, and experienced China Town.  We also had the opportunity of going to see Mamma Mia.  Although we had to stand for the whole show, it was completely worth it!  We also partied in the subway (I encourage everyone to check out the Meetles on YouTube; they’re a blast), wandered around Central Park, ate huge pieces of pizza, traveled on a ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, and went to Ground Zero.  Sadly, I have about two times more pictures of NYC than I do from here in DC.  It’s making me realize that time is flying by, and I need to make the best of it.  It was a great weekend and a great birthday! 

Holly, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rupert.

February 4, 2010

It has indeed been another exciting and fulfilling week in the Crapo office. I love working here because everyone always has a smile on their face!

The life of a Senator sure is busy and I have seen that this week, with Senator Crapo in back-to-back meetings this week and even at times having three Committee hearings to attend all scheduled for the same time. Senator Crapo seems to believe that “far and away the best prize life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing,” as Theodore Roosevelt put it.  

I have attended some interesting events since my last post. I attended a briefing at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars about US foreign policy challenges, with experts on Iran, Pakistan, and the Arab-Israeli relationship. I have also been to the Rules Committee hearing on campaign finance in the wake of the Citizens United v FEC case, it will be interesting to see how the debate on this decision progresses.

In addition to this, I went with my fellow Aussies to Philadelphia over the weekend and we saw all the historic sites including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the original Congress building – and had the obligatory cheese steak which had no nutritional value but was delicious. In an event which was quite a novelty for us, it started snowing in Philly and we proceeded to have an all-against-all snowball fight.  

I’m looking forward to the Superbowl this Sunday. Go Saints!  

Ben, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

February 2, 2010

Hello again everyone;

It’s hard to believe that it has been over a month since I arrived in DC.  There is so much to learn and experience when working in our nation’s capital.  As I become more familiar with the atmosphere, it is interesting to see the slightly more subtle interactions that take place between different staffers, different offices and different members.  It is fun to see who takes a partisan stand on nearly everything and which senators are willing to actually deal with those in the other party.  One of the most interesting things to see is how Senators act during committee hearings.  Today I sat in the audience of the Budget Committee as they reviewed and debated the President’s FY 2011 budget proposal.  It was interesting and impressive to note how some senators from different parties are able to work together and try to find common ground on tough issues.  A great example of this would be Senators Kent Conrad, the committee chair and Judd Gregg, the ranking member.  Despite very different personal stances on a variety of issues these two gentlemen displayed a shared dedication to fiscal responsibility and appeared to be working together to find actual solutions.  As to whether or not their solutions will work other members of the chamber have doubts but at least their effort to work together may be admired.  On the other side of the coin, there are some members so caught up in partisanship that it seems to bind their ability to give the other side credit and discuss an idea on its merits.  Such was the case today when in this same hearing discussion of the use of TARP funds sparked a verbal exchange between Senators Gregg and Sanders that had to be broken up by the Chairman. 

On a larger scale it is also interesting to watch how the different agencies and branches of government interact and respond to one another especially on specific and divisive issues.  In a perfect world, I suppose that these titans of legal and political power would march in perfect unison as the lead the country to peace and prosperity.  It seems in the world we live in these different actors are perfectly happy to march in slightly different directions while stepping on each others toes.  An example that might serve is the recent decisions by the Supreme Court to allow corporations to make campaign contributions and the presidents criticizing the ruling during his State of the Union Address.  The further reaction from members of congress to both the ruling itself and the president’s comments have been inspired to say the least.  Similarly the President’s proposal to use TARP money repaid by banks for purposes not expressly allowed has created an uproar among some in congress and the administration is now saying that it will seek a statutory act of congress to authorize that action.  

In the end the revelation that I find most intriguing is not what I’ve noticed but the realization that there is so much more that I overlook.  The intricacies of interaction here on the hill are simultaneously full of overt and hidden meanings and it would take a life time to become proficient in understanding them.  I guess I’m glad that we don’t live in a utopia where everyone just works together; this tangled web of allies and enemies is far more interesting.  Not to mention the fact that should the government ever start truly working as perfectly cohesive and efficient unit, the results might just be terrifying.   

Alex, Boise State University, Nampa.

January 29, 2010

This has been a particularly eventful week due to the annual State of the Union Address and the vote on the confirmation of Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke to a second term.  The President focused a lot on his plans to increase jobs in the United States.  It seems like that it will also be a major focus of Congress in the coming months.

Recently, there has also been a major focus on creating some form of climate change bill in the Senate.  I attended a couple of committee hearings that focused on renewable technologies and the feasibility of using such technologies on a widespread basis.  The focus right now seems to be more on improving energy efficiency, but there is also a lot of interest in wind and solar power.  It will be interesting to see what Congress will do in this area because it is quite a controversial topic. 

The weekly Constituent Coffee was held this week on Tuesday morning.  It was my first opportunity to see Senator Crapo.  It was great to be able to talk to the constituents that attended and to reconnect with Idaho.  The people in Washington D.C. are great, but it is always feels good to connect with citizens outside of the Beltway.  I am looking forward to future opportunities to meet Idahoans here in Senator Crapo’s office. 

Blake, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Carey.

January 28, 2010

It has been another exciting week here in Senator Crapo’s office. The Senator’s schedule is getting busier by the day and it has been interesting for me to absorb this atmosphere. I am getting used to the rhythms of the scheduling job and really enjoying the perspective my role is giving me of Senator Crapo’s roles and duties.

 It is still too early to fully assess the impact of the State of the Union address last night but many promises were made. It was pleasing to hear the President speak of jobs—albeit one year too late. The “freeze” he proposed seems hollow, exempting most of the budget, and thus mere political rhetoric. There were many more points he raised: continued commitment to cap-and-trade, health insurance reform and similar policies that appeal to his base. However, there were many issues he glossed over, in particular, national security and the decision to try terrorists in civilian courts. Let us see if his actions accord with the words of his address. 

As far as outside work activities go, I had an interesting trip up to Gettysburg last weekend. We had a fantastic tour guide who outlined the narrative of the battle well and highlighted the significance of Gettysburg in the history of the Civil War. Being a foreigner, it was great to get some insight into American history, particularly because the battle is seen as a turning point at which, had things happened differently, the world could have been drastically different. 

I was also Australia Day this week (January 26) so my fellow Aussies and I did the patriotic thing and headed down to Outback steakhouse. The menu was comedic to us with plenty of outrageous names, but the food was great! 

I had my first appearance on C-SPAN on Tuesday due to my attendance at the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing. Whenever Former Representative Lee Hamilton was answering questions Alex and I could be seen in the background. Naturally, I sent all my friends and family an email with a link to the video – a bit boastful, I know. It was a thrill to be about four feet away from Senator John McCain at one point; Alex and I were lucky to be able to get seats in the second row. It seems sad that I am now about half way through my internship, it is going way too fast and I wish I had more time here in Senator Crapo’s lovely office. 

Ben, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

January 27, 2010

I can't believe it's already the middle of my 4th week here! Sometimes I feel like I'm just getting started, and that there is no way it can already have been over a month since I got out here, and other times it already feels like I have been here for years. This week has already been great. On Monday, I was able to attend a Lunch-and-Learn meeting for one of the LAs (legislative assistants). It was a great opportunity to learn a lot about different things, and fun to be an actual part of a meeting. I also have my first Capitol tours scheduled for next week! I still feel a lot underprepared, but I'm working on my research now, and Holly was nice enough to agree to a "tour" with me so that I can practice a little before giving one for real. It’s so exciting! The Capitol Building is my second favorite building (the Supreme Court has to be number 1) and I love that I have this opportunity to explore through the building and learn more about the history and some neat facts about it.

I love everything that this town has to offer. Walking down the streets to and from work everyday, or wandering the city on days off feels like I am walking through a piece of history, past and present. Great things have been going on here for years, and huge things are happening while I’m here. It leaves you with a feeling that hard to define. It's a feeling of awe, insignificance, and greatness all pressed together until it's impossible to pick them apart. You can feel it in the streets, the buildings, the trees, and the air. I don't think I will ever get tired of just walking down the streets of DC because there is a new experience around every corner. I love exploring the museums and buildings, the sidewalks and streets. I have some tentative plans to visit some of the other historic cities and areas while I’m here in the East, like Philadelphia, Gettysburg, and Boston to name a few. So many amazing things happened back here, and I feel somehow closer to those great things by being in the area and walking the streets that the founding fathers and other important men and women walked. It has the potential to truly inspire greatness.  

Ashley, Brigham Young University- Idaho, Rexburg.

January 25, 2010

Everything in the office is great!  I’m now really getting into a schedule of my everyday duties and learning more and more all of the time.  Although my to-do list is usually similar for most days, it has yet to become boring.  There's always something new to experience.

 Last week I had the opportunity to attend my first Senate hearing.  It was for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee regarding the recent terrorist attempt on Christmas day.  It was so interesting to listen to the different concerns our leaders had and to see how matters such as this are handled.  I also attended a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.  One of the issues covered was discussing and amending different bills.  I really enjoyed being able to actually see the process a bill undergoes.

Besides experiencing everything the Hill has to offer through the work week, I love being able to go to all of the different Museums and just be in the DC environment.  On Saturday, I went to the National Museum of American History, which, thus far, is my favorite.  I highly recommend it to anyone visiting.  Also, I bought for my first street vendor hot dog, which I thoroughly enjoyed.   

Holly, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rupert.

January 21, 2010

Everything has started to pick up this week as Congress reconvenes.  This means committee meetings and lots of C-SPAN.  I am impressed with the amount of information and issues that Congress deals with on a daily basis.  This experience has helped me to realize that it requires a lot to be a Senator.

This week I had the opportunity to attend my first Senate Committee Meeting.  It was a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the issue of Yemen.  Experts were called to testify about the impact that Yemen will have in the future of Al-Qaeda.  All of the Senators were concerned about Yemen turning into a Pakistan or Afghanistan and felt that it was important to increase aid to the country.

The other important lesson I learned this week was that it is important to be informed about the issues that are impacting our nation.  There are so many competing voices telling us what they think is true or what they think is right.  I am always excited when I know the truth about certain issues because I can then formulate my opinion without being influenced by biased pressures.  This is a great lesson that each of us should learn sometime in our life.

Blake, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Carey.

January 21, 2010

Well, what an exciting week it has been! We all knew the national mood had swung considerably, but I don't think any of us really expected what happened on Tuesday. My congratulations go to Scott Brown for a tremendous campaign, which is sure to serve as inspiration for Republicans come November. All of this on my birthday (20 now, getting old...), and what a great birthday present it was.

I'm getting used to the office now and the scheduling procedures, despite Karen having to remind me about certain things from time to time. The pace is yet to reach "hectic" for me, but I am sure that day is just around the corner. Learning how to put together Senator Crapo's daily briefing packets has given me further insight into his work and the breadth of issues he has to deal with every day. In addition, the volume  of requests we receive from people wanting to meet with Senator Crapo are a testament to how highly he is regarded by members of the public, by businesses, and by his colleagues.   

I attended my first committee hearing yesterday: the Judiciary Committee hearing dealing with security measures in the aftermath of the near-disaster on Christmas Day. It was exciting to see some of the legislators on the flesh, and they asked some rather scathing but essential questions to the witnesses. Hopefully I will be able to attend more hearings during my time in DC as I learnt a lot about security measures, the visa processes, and inter-agency security cooperation in the United States.  It is going to be an interesting time indeed to be on Capitol Hill, especially with the new dynamics of the Senate – hopefully we can get our 41st Senator seated as soon as possible.

Ben, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

January 20, 2010

Congress is now in session! It's the middle of my third week now as an intern, and things are pretty exciting. I am amazed at how many different things go on each day and the opportunities that are available to learn from. I love working in Senator Crapo's office. I frequently hear other interns lamenting their mundane, tedious positions. They complain that all they do is sort mail, run coffee, or stand around. I have never felt that I am only here to fill space. I have yet to be given a job that I couldn't see the importance of, or the reason for. There are obviously some jobs that are not as exciting or involved as others, but they all are things that are important and need to be done. I don't feel that I am being stuffed into a mail closet to keep me busy and out of sight, I feel that what I do everyday is helpful and important to the people in the office.

Today was a new and exciting experience for me. I have always been very interested in the Judiciary. It was very exciting to realize on my first day of work that the committee rooms for the Senate Judiciary Committee share a hallway with the Senator's offices. There was a committee hearing today regarding the effectiveness of our anti-terrorism tools and actions, and I was able to sit in on the hearing for a short time. It was amazing! The committee room was larger and more ornate than I had expected, but beautiful. There were a lot of people in the room, security personnel, various members of the press, people taking notes and asking important questions, and others like me, just stealing a few minutes away from the office to learn a little more, and gain a little more experience. It is definitely something that I hope to do many more times, with many different committees and subcommittees.

Ashley, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg.

 

January 19, 2010

As we enter our second week working here in the office, the daily processes and procedures are becoming a little more familiar.  Working the phones, using the necessary computer programs and navigating the massive labyrinth of congressional office building hallways are all tasks that have become notable easier over the past few days.  While I would like to think that my first couple of weeks here have been productive in teaching me a lot, I must say that probably the most important thing I learned is that what I do know pales in comparison to what I do not know. 

 The multitude of demands placed on any congressional member’s office is far greater than I ever appreciated before I began working here and I've only been introduced to only a few up to this point. Working with the massive structure of the federal government and striving to address the concerns of our constituents is something that requires a high level of communication, coordination and prefect execution to get things done right.  My hope is that I can use this internship to develop the skill set necessary to be productive in this kind of environment, although I know that’s going to take some work.   

I look forward to the rest of this week and the next as the Senate reconvenes and I will have the opportunity to see and learn more about the legislative process firsthand.   

Alex, Boise State University, Idaho.

January 15, 2010

Every person has a dream that they hope will come true someday.  As a kid who grew up on a farm in rural Idaho, I had many dreams.  My greatest dream was to visit Washington, DC, and see many of the important sites and history that helped define American democracy.  I can now say that my dream has been fulfilled to a point that not even I could have imagined.

An internship on Capitol Hill has been an interesting and surprising change in my life.  Just last semester I was finishing my coursework at BYU-Idaho and contemplating where I would do an internship.  I originally thought that I wanted to stay in Idaho and do something local.  However, in the back of my mind, I still had thoughts of my dream to visit Washington DC.  I talked with a professor who recommended I apply for internships with congressmen on Capitol Hill.  It seemed like a long shot, but I decided to apply.  To make a long story short, I was offered an intern position with Senator Crapo and enthusiastically accepted.

Now I begin an internship where I get to see the day-to-day workings of Congress.  I am able to research current issues and events.  I talk to citizens who are genuinely concerned about our country.  It feels great to serve in a manner that helps more than just myself. 

I look forward to writing about my experiences this term and I hope that for those who are interested in doing an internship on Capitol Hill you will be able to get a good idea of what it is like to be an intern in Senator Crapo’s office.

Blake, Boise State University, Carey.

January 14, 2010

G'day all (I think it’s part of my contract to say that),

Here comes my first blog post, and I thought I would make it a reasonably lengthy one because I fear that, as things get progressively busier, my blog posts will become correspondingly shorter.

Well, what an experience it has been so far! After travelling from Perth where my family tells me it is currently 38 degrees Celsius—I believe that's about 100 in Fahrenheit—adjusting to the climate has been difficult. Thankfully, I arrived in DC on the 27th of December, so I have had plenty of time to acclimatize.

While I was in DC before my internship started, I took the opportunity to check out some of the great sights that the nation's capital has to offer. I went to virtually all the Smithsonian museums, which were fantastic. My personal favorite was not on the Mall, although I enjoyed the modern art in the East Building of the National Gallery of Art immensely. The National Archives were my favorite as I was able to see the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, all of which were amazing for me to see as a self-confessed political history nerd. Understandably, seeing the museums along the Mall as well as the other Smithsonians dotted around the place filled a few days of my schedule. I also went to the Lincoln Memorial, which I found to be inspiring; the inscriptions of the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address on opposing walls was the icing on an already fantastic cake.

After my week of holiday, I was ready to learn about the workings of the American political system firsthand, as opposed to observing from afar as I have done previously. I have found all the staff in Senator Crapo's office to be extremely lovely people who have welcomed me into the office and made me feel at home. Mandi has been very kind in arranging special tours for myself and my fellow interns. We have had the opportunity over the past week to visit the Capitol (and learn how to potentially give a tour which is still daunting for me), the Library of Congress, and the White House.

I have the position of scheduling intern for the duration of my stay. I hope this gives me an insight into how things run on the Hill. I look forward to more excitement once the Senate is back in session.

Until next time,

Ben, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

January 13, 2010

 

Thus far I have loved everything about Washington, DC! It's halfway through my second week as an intern, and my third week here in the East. There is so much to see and do! I live in Arlington, VA, so I ride public transportation into DC everyday. I ride the bus to the Metro, and take the Metro into town, and I still enjoy it, every time! I get off at the Capitol South metro stop, so I get to walk past all my favorite buildings on the way to and from work everyday. Walking past the Library of Congress, the Capitol and the Supreme Court Building  is definitely a great way to start and end my day!

Work has been a lot of fun so far. I learn something new everyday and it's still new enough for me to be excited about going to work everyday, and I look forward to what every new day will teach me.

Ashley, Brigham Young University- Idaho, Rexburg.

January 12, 2010

Hello everyone, my name is Alex and I am one of the interns who will be working here in Senator Crapo’s D.C. office for the upcoming semester.  I am currently in my first senior semester at Boise State University (2-time Fiesta Bowl Champions! Go Broncos!) and working on a degree in political science.

I have been working here in the office for a week now, and I must say the experience has been great so far. Since the Senate is still in recess, things at the office have not yet been too crazy so it has been a good time to begin learning all the practices and procedures that go into an average day here.  I will primarily be in the legislative shop while I'm here and up to this point I have been working on incoming correspondence that relates to the legislative issues we are working on.  I have also received some training on the front desk and answering the phones. 

In additional to working in the office, the tours our office arranged for us as interns have allowed us the opportunity to see and explore many of the historic structures around our building including the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, the White House and the Capitol itself.  This Friday, we are scheduled to visit the Supreme Court Building as well.  All of the tours I've been on have been quite impressive and have added a tangible context to the history I've heard about since first grade and before.  The Jefferson Building was one tour that really surprised me.  The building is covered with art in all kinds of different styles and media, and many of the works are connected by themes allowing them to be appreciated collectively as well as on their own.  The Capitol tour was also very impressive. However, I guess my expectations for it were higher and I wasn't quite as surprised.  The aspect of the Capitol that impressed me the most was not the art, although I have never seen its equal, but rather the wealth of history there and the decisions and ideals that shaped and changed our country.  Overall, the first week and a half in our nation's capital have been a far cry from my normal life in Nampa but I've enjoyed nearly every minute of it and look forward to the weeks and months ahead.

Alex, Nampa, Boise State University.    

January 11, 2010

Hi, everyone!  My name is Holly, and I am from Rupert, Idaho.  I am in the middle of my Junior year at BYU-Idaho and am studying Political Science.  I love reading, playing the piano, soccer, just being around my friends and family, and learning new things.

I have officially been in Washington, DC, for two weeks now, and I just finished my first week here at the office.  Although it hasn't been very long, I already love it!  The office is great, and everyone has been so kind and welcoming.  Living in the DC area is so much fun.  There's always something to do or see.  I love being able to experience everything I've read about or learned from school.

My main assignment is working in the Communications Shop.  Everyone here has been so nice and willing to help me with any questions I may have.  Each day, I gather all of the recent news articles that may include Senator Crapo in them or revolve around certain issues which he would be interested in.  

While here, I've already had some amazing experiences.  During my first week, I was able to go to the Museum of Natural History.  It was really interesting; there were so many different exhibits that I wasn't able to make it through all of them.  While here interning, there's a pretty good chance that I'll be giving a few tours of the Capitol.  On Thursday, I went to a training session to learn how to give them, and I was able to go on a tour.

One of my favorite things so far has been going on a tour of the Jefferson building of the Library of Congress.  It's so beautiful!  One of the exhibits included the rough drafts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  It was really interesting to see the changes that were made and different wording which was used.

Holly, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rupert.

 

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