OUT ON THE HILL is the official blog of the Victory Congressional Interns. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. Learn more about the internship at victoryinstitute.org/vci.
———————————–
Sitting in the office on the first day of the internship it became abundantly clear that each of the interns held similar if not the same policy interests. I was lucky enough to be in a group of six interns in the office and the majority would cite criminal justice policy reform as our top priority. I am privileged to be working not only in a Democrat’s office, but on the progressive side of the Hill.
In my office, we openly discuss our personal political beliefs and hopes. We speak of wanting a ceasefire, our frustration with the institution, and our theories concerning the presidential race. We have candor in these conversations and meet each other halfway to explore differing perspectives. There is office comradery and joy within communication. This expands past the walls of Congressman Bowman’s office and into the progressive spaces on the Hill.
At an intern mixer for those in squad member offices, I felt this same openness and excitement. Sharing progressive ideals is not common in an institution such as the Hill, one that is built on exploitation and tradition. After receiving such harsh backlash and a lack of mainstream support for the office following the Congressman’s primary loss, the other progressive offices gave words of support. The need for campaign finance reform is abundantly clear following the Congressman’s primary, with the most amount of money on a House primary ever spent. These offices took this message and amplified the struggle and successes of the office over the past two terms.
I have had the opportunity to learn more about a variety of policy areas, but also hone in on my interests and attend hearings related to previous work in which I have engaged. Attending a Senate Judiciary hearing on access to justice was a highlight of my summer. After spending the previous semester on a research team focusing on pro se litigants in civil debt collection cases, it was fulfilling to see that the issue of equity in the legal system is being discussed on a national scale. But this is not widespread. Even chatting with interns from other Democrat offices at a House Judiciary hearing this week I was met with pushback on ideas and policies that are embraced in my office. The focus on the flawed legal system, conditions of confinement, and the racist institutions that perpetuate the prison industrial complex, are not openly criticized or discussed as the progressive bubble in which I work would imply.
The broader progressive movement on the Hill is made that much more special by its cohesion. I had the opportunity to walk to votes with the Congressman and while waiting outside votes was able to sit on the squad bench. The squad staffers gather around a bench outside the House chamber and discuss office politics, press points, and more. Talking with legislative correspondents, staff assistants, and policy advisors from these offices was a high moment in my internship. There was excitement from staffers when I shared I was a VCI with senior staffers from squad offices, letting me know they were also a part of the community.
This shared joy over being represented on the Hill is not lost on me. To be working towards progressive policies in these offices is an opportunity to be embraced. I am grateful to be on the Hill and beyond lucky to be within a community of VCIs that works for change and in an office that facilitates vital conversations and openness.
