Spencer Rada - Interning in Washington D.C. for Congressman Andy Harris, M.D.

This summer, I am interning for the congressman that represents my district in Maryland, the 1st Congressional District. Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., is on the House Appropriations Committee and serves on three appropriations subcommittees: the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies, which he serves as the Chair; the Subcommittee on Homeland Security; and the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related agencies.

The political science courses at Norwich University have prepared me to understand the underworkings of the political process and have kept me engaged civically so that I am a well-informed asset to the congressman’s team. Further, prior to sending off my cover letter and resume with my application, I ran it by the Center for Career Readiness and they helped me craft a great resume! I was awarded a scholarship through the CCR to help afford the cost of living in D.C, travel expenses, and food.

For the past five years, I have been working in Maryland state politics for a state delegate, who then became a state senator. This past year, I really wanted to give federal politics a try to see how the two are different, see the dynamics between state and national issues, and help more constituents with concerns and issues they have. 

The 1st Congressional District of Maryland consists of around 800,000 people and we get a considerable number of emails and calls from around the district, and the state, asking for assistance in problems they have, or asking for the congressman to support or vote against certain pieces of legislation.

Even more fun is going into the Capitol and seeing all the visitors and to see the Capitol rotunda, and the other parts of the Capitol Building Tour, including Statuary Hall, the old Supreme Court chamber, the old Senate Chamber, and the Crypt.

Since I had connections with the state senator I worked for and personal connections in the office, I had an easier way into the office for an internship. I was prompted to fill out an internship application, completed an interview, and was chosen shortly thereafter to serve as an intern from June 3rd to August 2nd  of 2024. 

Next on the agenda was to find housing. I searched around D.C. and found that George Washington University had summer intern housing, and I decided that it was the best choice for me to go with GW. My current residence is within a 10-minute walk of the White House.

I started my first day on Capitol Hill not knowing where anything was, who anyone was, or where I was even supposed to enter the building. It was a very cool experience walking up the road to where I eventually found the entrance and saw the shining Capitol dome.

 I am keeping a list of members of Congress that I have seen and/or interacted with and my list is current at thirty-six representatives and one senator. 

Every day, I take a 15-minute walk to Farragut West Station to take the metro to Capitol South. I then come into the Longworth House Office Building and usually walk around a bit checking out the different floors, the different members of Congress that have their offices in that building, or I check out the different tunnels that connect the three House office buildings to the Capitol Visitor Center, and then to the three Senate office buildings. 

The House and Senate also each have small trains that take members and staff to and from the different office buildings to the main Capitol. If you are lucky and come at the right time, you may even witness some members of Congress taking these trains or going through the tunnels. 

Each day on Capitol Hill is entirely different, but before I explain what I do in the office, I should differentiate days that Congress is in session and days when we are out of session. In session days are when all members of Congress are in Washington D.C. in committee, voting on the House and Senate floor and taking meetings in their offices. Everyone wears much more professional attire on these days, and there is something in the air that makes Capitol Hill come alive.

On out of session days, all the members of Congress have gone home to their respective districts and states to spend time at home, doing work in the district, going to events, and socializing with their constituents. The work in the Capitol doesn’t end on these days, however.

Even more fun is going into the Capitol and seeing all the visitors and to see the Capitol rotunda, and the other parts of the Capitol Building Tour, including Statuary Hall, the old Supreme Court chamber, the old Senate Chamber, and the Crypt.

Staffers and interns still work on days out of session, but it is much more casual attire (depending on the office) and the work usually consists of the work that was not completed while in session and other menial work that is still important, but not flashy. This usually consists of organizing office spaces, conducting research projects, answering the telephone, responding to emails, and sealing and sending mail for constituent outreach.

Out of session days are also times when touring the Capitol as a staff can be a lot more fun as you can get into the nooks and crannies of the Capitol and explore the tunnels. On Friday, June 7th, some of the office workers took the interns for an adventure around the Capitol and we toured the House floor (unfortunately, pictures are not allowed), and went onto the Speaker’s Balcony.

Every day on Capitol Hill is different, and during the in-session days, you can go to committee hearings and see your favorite members of congress question testifiers, show support for legislation, and debate each other. I am keeping a list of members of Congress that I have seen and/or interacted with and my list is current at thirty-six representatives and one senator. 

As a kid, I watched C-SPAN instead of cartoons, so interacting with and seeing these members of Congress I grew up watching and walking through the halls of Congress has been such a unique and eye-opening experience as I figure out how I will move forward from my academic to professional career.

Please stay tuned as I move through the next few months of my internship and thank you for reading!