July 10, 2013 (and Fourth of July Weekend)

After a slow week out of session I enjoyed my holiday weekend and came back refreshed!

I spent the Fourth of July (best holiday ever🇺🇸) watching fireworks and the "Capitol Hill Fourth" concert on the Speaker's balcony with my friends, Congressmen and VIP guests of Speaker Boehner. Listening to Neil Diamond preform "Sweet Caroline" at the concert was absolutely amazing! The image of the National Mall light up under the dazzling fireworks that night will be forever ingrained in my memory. My friends kept reminding me that this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I continuously assured them that there is no such thing as once-in-a-lifetime experience if they continue to hang out with the right people ;) 

This weekend I finally had some ample time to throw on my tennis shoes and go sight seeing. All of the native Washingtonians will tell you night time is the best time to go see the monuments, and they are right! In this picture I am with my friends at the Roosevelt Memorial!

The last two days The House has been staying late, like 1am late, trying to pass an appropriations bill that will fund clean water, energy development and additional research. Above is a hearing where the House Rules Committee decided to make the bill an open rule (which means members are able to offer amendments to the bill prior to it's passage).  

Tuesday, I helped the press team at a GOP press conference. I held the microphone while the reporters asked hard hitting questions. You can watch the press conference at http://www.speaker.gov/video/boehner-if-businesses-get-relief-obamacare-rest-america-should-too and imagine my head right below the camera (unfortunately you can't see it): 

I also helped print and send a letter to the president! (I can't really tell you what it was about, though)

The House Republican Conference has hosting a lectures series where members of the Republican Leadership address and have an open forum with the Summer interns. Last week the speaker was Paul Ryan and this week it was Eric Cantor! I got this picture right off Vice Chairman Lyn Jenkins' twitter page! (I know, I'm basically famous). Sometimes working in The Speaker's office has it's perks, like sitting front row. 

But really, the highlight of my week was when Speaker Boehner walked past my desk to leave the office and said to me, "Okay Ali, I'm leaving you in control". Since then he hasn't asked for the control back, so watch out everyone.. I'm basically still the third most power person in the country. 

God Bless America, 

Ali