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Grout and fellow interns on the
Speaker's balcony of the U.S. Capitol |
After my 2014 summer working in Washington D.C., I knew that I wanted to go back. I wanted to move closer to the government itself after working in a think tank last summer, and I knew there would be no better place for me than the office of Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader. It was an honor to work for Leader McConnell, and the experience complemented my University of Louisville education.
For six weeks, I lived in a small dorm room at the Catholic University of America and commuted to the Russell Senate Office Building. The office paired each of the legislative interns with a legislative correspondent in a specific policy area. By the luck of the draw, I had the opportunity to work on foreign policy, defense, and veterans’ affairs. Each day, I sorted through the Leader’s incoming mail on each of these issues, and I began to draft responses about certain constituent issues. These assignments gave me the opportunity to listen to the needs and concerns of the people of the Commonwealth. I believe that to be a proper public servant, the needs of constituents must always be in mind. Leader McConnell and his entire staff obviously cared about the issues facing Kentuckians, and that attention left a real impact on me.
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| At the Lincoln memorial |
Additionally, congressional interns have the opportunity to lead tours of the United States Capitol Building. While working on Capitol Hill fed my inner political science major, the chance to lead tours excited my inner history major. The U.S. Capitol Building has so much history and grandeur that I was truly awed by it every single day. Bringing Kentuckians through the halls of the Capitol, explaining the artwork of the Rotunda, and exploring the history behind the Old Senate Chamber quickly became one of my favorite parts of the job. We gave so many tours that I’ve been told I mutter fun facts about the Capitol in my sleep. We’ll see if that continues...
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Representing their schools
at the WWII Memorial |
On top of all the exciting work that I had the chance to do, I also got to watch the world’s greatest deliberative body at work. Spending six weeks dedicated to learning the procedures of the U.S. Senate gave me only a glimpse of the important work done there. In nearly every office, at least one computer or TV had a live feed of the Senate floor. I constantly watched what legislation the Senate was considering, and I learned a lot. In my time there, I watched the Senate pass an overhaul of No Child Left Behind and the first multi-year highway bill in years. Following these bills on the floor and counting the votes on amendments and cloture was my dream. Luckily for me, I got to live out that dream for six weeks. While I was there, Leader McConnell called a special Sunday session to consider the highway legislation. If someone had been looking for me, they would have found me in my dorm watching C-SPAN2, following everything that happened that day too. You should ask my girlfriend, I talked her ear off about Senate procedure every time we talked on the phone. As a self-proclaimed nerd, I loved the work.
The city of Washington D.C. has so much to offer a young intern. Between my fellow interns and other friends I had made, it was easy to find fun things to do on nights and weekends. Because the city is filled with people from around the country, there is a little something for everyone. One night we are eating New England oysters and the next we are dancing at a cowboy BBQ. It’s easy to say that if you’re adventurous, you’ll never be bored.
I am so thankful for everyone who supported me this summer and made my adventure possible. Through their help, I was able to gain valuable experience and make connections. As graduation draws closer, I think Capitol Hill will call my name once again. Then, another adventure will begin.
Kevin Grout is a senior McConnell Scholar studying history and political science
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