Being a Washington Fellow: Job description

It has been two weeks now since I started on the Hill.  Two of the big issues being discussed are the stimulus package, which Congress has finalize their budget by Feb. 14^th and in this office, a peace resolution between Kibaki and Odinga in Kenya.  Everyday presents new issues and more constituency concerns. 

Actually, answering constituency phone calls and responding to their mail has been very informative.  It forces me to dive deeper into the issues to give the constituent an informed response.  The phone calls can range from ridicules complaints to sincere thank-yous for the Congressman’s work.  The one thing I have learned is that when voicing a complaint to a Congressperson, make sure you are contacting your district’s Congressperson if you want a response.  Your letter just may slip through the hands of the interns if you don’t. 

The best part of my job so far has been attending briefings, hearings, and receptions.    Briefings are events organized to inform members of congress and/or their staff on current issues or new reports. They are can be for just one representative or for a small group of representatives. Hearings are bigger and more formal events where a committee or subcommittee convenes to take testimony in order to gather information and opinions on proposed legislation.  Receptions differ greatly because there is food and drinks!  They can be very informative or just a celebration, but what makes them so great to attend, especially because I am a poor intern living in an expensive city, is that there is FREE FOOD!

The briefings I sit in on are based on international affairs. It is amazing to see the input NGOs have in our government, and some of those NGOs are Christian organizations. I have sat in on a briefing where representatives from Kenyan civil society share reports on the violence in their country as a result of the December elections. The two representatives were major players in implementing human rights actions in Kenya. They came to the Hill to urge Congress to put pressure on the State Department to put a pinch on President Kibaki, so he can feel the effects of the turmoil his taking of office has caused his country.

 Another amazing briefing I sat in on was one on overcoming violence against women in poor countries and how these positive changes relate to the reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan For Aids Relief (PEPFAR).  This briefing was packed out with mainly women and many of them were from all over the developing world and representing NGOs. This was an uplifting briefing because women from NGOs funded by PEPFAR gave positive testimonies of how their organizations have been successful in reducing violence against women.  They explained about how violence against women is a societal problem and reducing violence requires education in communities. Women need to know they are not alone in their pain, and there needs to be change in the gender norms.  Obviously changing norms is the most difficult task an organization could take on, but as Dr. Mary Elleberg, senior advisor for Program for Appropriate Technologies for Health, said “success usually starts with a handful of people taking action.” 

I think it is important with today’s sprawl of technology, which allows us to see so much of the hurting and broken world in such a quick moment, is not to get overwhelmed by the need or be to critical of those helping alleviating pain and suffering.  I know it sounds bizarre to be critical of positive efforts, but the reality of it is that every organization has its flaws. I learned this from being apart of so many churches as I’ve moved around the United States.  It is so easy to first notice what is missing or what is wrong with a church or a non-profit.  I actually find myself usually catching my negativity after I’ve left a place, only to wish I had not crowded out the good because it is too late to take note of the good.  I’m done trying to be superwoman and tackle all issues, but through prayer and experience I know I’ll find the avenue to take in helping people.  That is one thing I love about our government- decisions are influenced and issues are brought to the table by many sources including Christian organizations… that topic is for another blog.