May 23, 2013

I've come to the realization that leaving the house just five minutes late can easily result in a nearly forty minute late arrival to work. This unfortunate delay left me rushed and frazzled out of my mind by the time I set foot on the DC metro. Somewhere in my crazed journey I  dropped my staff ID to the Capitol (it could have been very bad if it fell into the wrong hands). Luckily, a good samaritan brought my ID to the our office and saved my butt before I had to admit my mistake. Success. 

Today I went to a hearing called: al Qaeda Threats to Homeland Security from Syria and Iran. It was really so interesting to see how a committee hearing operates and learning about these al Qaeda threats right from the people who make decisions regarding it. If my boss tells me it's okay, I will post the  memorandum I wrote about the hearing. 

Also, I uncovered another national scandal today!!!!! ... Unfortunately I could not blame this one on the Obama administration. 

THERE WAS MESSY FLAVORED CREAMER IN THE REGULAR CREAMER PILE! 

Wow- if the speaker would have seen this tragic demonstration of negligence he would be out for the count. 

God Bless America,
Ali

P.S. I was completely starstruck today when Paul Ryan wandered though the office. My first instinct was obviously to stick out my hand and resume then ask to be his running mate in the 2016 election, but unfortunately the only thing I could get out of my mouth was "good morning" (this is at 3:00 in the afternoon btw)

May 21, 2013

Today was another exciting day on Capitol Hill! I spent most of my morning traveling at the heels of Speaker Boehner. I accompanied him, and the Press Staff, to a GOP Press Conference where they discussed the devastation in Oklahoma after the recent tornado [ http://www.politico.com/multimedia/video/2013/05/boehner-becomes-emotional-talking-about-oklahoma-tornado.html?ml=vi_3 ]. It is touching to see the emotion of these Representatives when watching them speak live. What they are saying really feels genuine, rather than watching the clips on TV later when the media frames them as heartless.

Later, I traveled to watch the speaker record a couple one minute speeches that will be used at different events where he can not be present, but wants to give remarks. I also made a cameo in the recordings- its a little surprise for my final Hawken Project presentation.

We've had a lot of big names around the office in the past few day. They have ranged from the President of Turkey to Cardinals from the Vatican. My commute into the capitol today was delayed by the arrival of the President of Burma. These special guests have flooded my desk asking for bathrooms and waters before meeting with The Speaker. He invites often has special guests, but I almost every day I can expect his usual suspects- GOP Leadership. I've been chatting it up with Whip McCarthy, Minority Leader McConnell and Majority Leader Cantor all the time. I wish I had more pictures of all of these people, but I'm afraid of looking like paparazzi taking pictures as they walk past my desk.

The rest of my afternoon was filled with paperwork. Tedious, but a necessary task in this office. Every time a staple a paper or make a copy I think of some future intern I'll have working for me doing the same tasks! mwahaha

God Bless America,
Ali

May 15, 2013

If you've ever wondered how long the Obama Affordable Care Act [Obamacare] really is, this is it....

(This is called the Red Tape Tower and you can follow this stack of regulations on twitter @theredtapetower)

This over three-hundred pound document is really a drag, I can tell you from experience. A few other Interns and I had the pleasure of moving it around today between meeting rooms in the Capitol complex. The stress I felt carrying the document is nothing compared to the stress the American people will be feeling when the act goes in to full effect at the end of the year.

Also today, I watched Speaker Boehner swear in our newest Congressman, Sanford (R-SC). I only caught the end of the ceremony because I was busy doing very important / top secret things back in the office. Rest assured I will be on the Hill long enough, now and in future years, to see more swearing in ceremonies. I caught the end of a press conference with The Speaker and other Republican Leadership today, too. These are always so interesting to watch! [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cIzrjM_7Ssk ]

More exciting news, today was The Speaker's first day in the office since I've been back and he totally remembered who I was!! First thing this morning he walked down the hallway toward my desk and said to me, "well, well, well; look whose back! I am very excited you're working with us again this summer, Ali" (yeah we're basically bffs, nbd)

Tomorrow I am planning on going to my first committee hearing- yay!

God Bless America,
Ali

First Day !!!

I woke up this morning energized in anticipation of my first day back on Capitol Hill! After almost a year exactly I was finally returning for my second tour of duty working in the office of Speaker of the House, John Boehner.

As expected, not much surprised me when I arrived on Capitol Hill this morning- my old desk, familiar co-workers and the comforting smell of coffee brewing. Along with the old, there were new treasures that unwrapped themselves today- along with promises of new surprises throughout the summer.  

Something was new this year: I am obligated to go to at least one hearing or debate per week and write a one page memo about it. I can go to as many hearings as I want. I am still trying to decide on major topics and legislation I would like to follow in hearings throughout the summer but I am thinking gun control, immigration or the economy. These are all obviously interesting and guarantee action. I am extremely excited to have this new experience! I will see first-hand what legislators and policy-drivers do in their daily jobs. 

I also created a set of goles I would like to accomplish this summer:

·         I would love to go to some hearings on gun control, immigration or economy in general.

·         One of my goals this summer is to learn a little about how people have gotten to where they are. Including school, internships etc. as I begin my own college application process and decide what I want to do with my life. I’m meeting with a few alumni from my high school that have thriving careers in the DC area and political field. I hope to get to know about everyone around this office. Networking!!! 

·         Another short term goal is to complete a video project for school. Its due 2 weeks but basically I just need to get my video camera out for one day and ask people if they can tell me in 10 seconds or so, in their own opinion, what a congressional office does.

·         Lastly, have fun!

I'm excited for another great day tomorrow!

God Bless America, 

Ali