Working On Capitol Hill

WORKING ON THE HILL: Who Talks The Most In Congress?

Rep. Glenn “G.T.” Thompson of Pennsylvania spoke more often on the floor of the House of Representatives than any other congressman during 2020, according to data compiled by C-SPAN.

Screenshot from Thompson’s official web site.

Thompson, a Republican, spoke on 190 days during the year when the House was in session, leading by a substantial margin the second-most prolific congressional speaker, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), who rose to address colleagues 156 times.

Six of the top 10 most frequent speaker were Republicans, including Doug Lamata of California (138), Buddy Carter of Georgia (136), Joe Wilson of South Carolina (111), Ross Spano of Florida (104), and Virginia Foxx of Virginia (99). Continue reading “WORKING ON THE HILL: Who Talks The Most In Congress?”

STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Moving Up On The Hill This Week

Courtesy of Legistorm:

Madison Bau makes the move from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire to Capitol Hill, becoming Field Representative for Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX). Madison received her BA in Political Science and Government from Eau Claire in 2020.

Nick Clemens is now Communications Director for newly sworn-in Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR). Nick was previously a Legislative Correspondent for Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV). He is a 2013 graduate of Elizabethtown College with a BA in Political Science, Business Administration and International Studies.

Moving into the Deputy Chief of Staff slot is Nicole Renee Rapanos, working for newly sworn-in Rep. Carlos Antonio Giménez (R-FL). Nicole is a 2010 University of Miami graduate with a BA in Political Science, Public Relations and Communications.
Continue reading “STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Moving Up On The Hill This Week”

A New Year. A New Congress. A New Beginning. Let Us Pray, Together

All but a few of the Members of the 117th Congress were sworn-in to office today, Sunday, and tomorrow, January 4, 2021, marks the first Monday of what could be one of the most dramatic weeks in American history.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Congress meets in Joint Session Wednesday to receive the votes of the Electoral College electors. Dozens of House Republicans and at least 12 Senate Republicans plan to protest various slates of electors. Passions are growing on all sides.

There are questions and controversies about virtually every aspect of the process, even though 2021 is far from the first time the nation has seen such uncertainty about who won a presidential election, or controversy over how to resolve it. Continue reading “A New Year. A New Congress. A New Beginning. Let Us Pray, Together”

Think Again If You Think There’s No Evidence For Christianity

Even if you’ve been a follower of Jesus Christ who has attended church regularly since childhood, the odds are very good you have little or no idea of just how massive the evidence from multiple fields is for Christianity. There has been a veritable explosion in Christian apologetics research in recent decades.

Same applies if you are an agnostic or an atheist because you almost certainly approach whatever arguments you’ve ever encountered on behalf of, for example, the Resurrection or the reliability of the Bible, with certain presuppositions that makes it all but impossible for you to see the whole picture.

Now along comes Cold-Case Christianity’s J. Warner Wallace, a man who for much of his adult life was an atheist, to demonstrate just how complex and detailed is the case for the most influential faith in all human history. Pay especially close attention when the chalkboard comes on the screen:

STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Moving Up On The Hill This Week

Courtesy of Legistorm:

Nate Zimpher makes the move up from Senior Legislative Assistant to Legislative Director for Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio). Nate began his congressional staff career in 2010 as a House Page. He earned his BA in Political Science and Government from American University in 2015.

Annie Goyzueta (Screenshot from Legistorm).

Annie Goyzueta takes over as Operations Director for Rep. Johanna Hayes (D-CT), after serving a stint as Keeper of the Hayes Schedule. Annie earned her MA in Communications and her BA in Marketing from the University of Hartford in, respectively, 2017 and 2014.

Hillary Beard started out as an Intern working for Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL). From there, she moved steadily up as a Press Assistant, Legislative Assistant, Senior Policy Adviser, Legislative Director and now Chief of Staff. How about that for a story of steady application, productivity and dedication! Hillary graduated in 2012 from Birmingham-Southern College with a BA in Political Science. Continue reading “STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Moving Up On The Hill This Week”

STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Moving Up On The Hill This Week

Courtesy of Legistorm:

Kaleb Froehlich sets up shop as Chief of Staff to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), following nearly five years at Holland & Hart LLP. Kaleb earned his law degree in 2007 from the University of Virginia School of Law and his BA in International Relations and French in 2004 from the University of Southern California.

Senate Special Committee on Aging Aide Thomas Eagen is also a skilled violinist. (Screenshot from Facebook).

Thomas Eagen is the new Disability Police Aide for the Senate Special Committee on Aging, working for Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA). Thomas was previously the Health and Aging Fellow with the committee. He was awarded a PHD in Rehabilitation Science in 2018 by the University of Washington (Seattle), and the same year he also received an MPH in Health System and Policy from UW.

Nate Madden is the new Communications Director for Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), after serving as Director of Strategic Outreach and Engagement at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Nate’s BA in Political Science, Government and German was awarded by The Citadel in 2014. Continue reading “STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Moving Up On The Hill This Week”

STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Moving Up On The Hill This Week

Courtesy of Legistorm:

Alex Bolton sets up shop as Chief of Staff for incoming Freshman Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY). Alex is moving over from being Field Finance Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). He is a 2013 graduate of Colorado State University with a BA in Political Science and Ethnic Studies.

Bethany Bernston (Screenshot from Facebook).

Bethany Berntson is the new Scheduler and Office Manager for incoming Freshman Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND). Previously, Bethany was Strategic Initiatives Director for Trump Victory. She is a 2018 BS graduate in English Education from Valley City State University. Continue reading “STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Moving Up On The Hill This Week”

WORKING ON CAPITOL HILL: Traveling The Hard Road

Working on the Hill can often be a tough road to hoe. One day you can do something that makes you look like the smartest person in the room, but then the next day you goof something up because you were still riding yesterday’s high.

Keys to making it: Remember where you came from. Ask God where you should be going. And, as this reminder from Built With Grace of an ancient biblical proverb, encourages, Cherish your true friends:

Built with Grace

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs‬ ‭17:17‬

The Bible constantly reminds us that life for the follower of Jesus will not be easy. There will be storms; there will be obstacles; there will be disappointments and there will be pain.

God never promises to remove those parts of our lives but he does promise to walk through those things with us and give us strength.

He does that in two ways. First, God gives us His Holy Spirit to encourage us and remind us of his power and love.

Secondly, He uses godly friends to be there to encourage us, lift us up and pray for us.

Unfortunately, many times we aren’t there for those people who need to hear a word of encouragement and love.

Remind yourself today of God‘s great power and love for you. Surround yourself…

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WORKING ON THE HILL: Metro May Close Stations, End 3,800 Jobs

Legions of congressional aides get to and from Capitol Hill via Metro every workday, including during the Pandemic, so the prospect of multiple stations being closed and thousands of employees being let go could signal a major headache ahead.

With a $500 million operating deficit, Metro officials are considering closing 19 stations, but it is not known if the Capitol South station would be among those shuttered. That station is used daily by many Hill aides working on the House side, as well as by people visiting the Hill

As many as half of all the pre-Pandemic trips would be eliminated, weekend service would end, and wait times would be extended. Other measures may also be required in the absence of congressional action to prop up the system, according to Metro officials.

Metro’s problems are partially a result of the Pandemic dramatically slashing ridership since March, but other long-standing problems are also involved, including the regional government funding system on which it depends. Other public transportation systems across the country face similar obstacles.

“When I talk to my peers, we’re all facing these almost terrible decisions together,” Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld told The Washington Post. “It’s like, how do we do this? It gets down, unfortunately, to very hard math that you just can’t get there from here without having significant impacts.”

Keeping Calm In The Post-Election Storm

By Bret Bernhardt

Every two years, Washington and Capitol Hill usher in a season of change and transition following elections and the coming of a new Congress.

Bret Bernhardt, former chief of staff for senators Don Nickles and Jim DeMint.

By design, no one is exempt from this change. It may be that the member or candidate you work for or will work for has lost, retired, been reelected, or just won for the first time.

And everyone is facing the transition from an old Congress to a new one, which brings a myriad of changes, including numerous changes in committee leadership and membership.

Even if you are in the same office when the 117th Congress convenes in January 2021, there will be numerous changes as well. Members increase in seniority, bringing changes within an office and a shuffling of staff. Continue reading “Keeping Calm In The Post-Election Storm”

STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Movin’ On Up The Hill This Week

Courtesy of Legistorm:

Samuel Adepoju is the new District Representative for Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ). Samuel was previously a Building Manager at Rutgers University where he also earned his BA in Urban Studies and Affairs in 2019.

Allison Dong (Screenshot from Facebook).

Taking on new duties as Digital Communications Assistant in Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s (R-TN) office is Allison Dong. This is Allison’s first job on Capitol Hill, after tenure at the Department of Defense (DOD) as a National Security and Innovation Fellow. Allison’s BA in International and Global Studies is from the University of Indiana. She was also a Public Diplomacy intern at the Department of State in 2018.

Julia Prus has saddled up with Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) as a Tax Legislative Assistant, following her tenure at the Department of the Treasury as a Special Adviser for Legislative Affairs. Julia is a 2016 graduate of Miami University (Ohio) with a BA in Political Science. Continue reading “STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Movin’ On Up The Hill This Week”

STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Movin’ On Up The Hill This Week

Courtesy of Legistorm:

Meredith Pohl (Screenshot from Facebook).

There’s a new Texan on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, namely, Meredith Pohl, who joins the staff as Counsel. Meredith was previously clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. She is a 2018 graduate of the University of Mississippi Law School and earned her BA in Political Science and Government from Purdue University in 2015.

Coming on board as Special Counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee, working for Ranking Minority Member Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) is David Mapp. Serving as Special Counsel is David’s first position in Congress.

Tameka Barber comes on board the staff of Rep. David Scott (D-GA) as a Constituent Services Representative. Tameka earned her MS in Leadership/Project Management in 2011 from Walden University and her BS in Psychology in 1997 from Howard University.

Andrea Jones has saddled up with Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) as a Policy Adviser for the Values Action Team. Previously, Andrea was a Research Assistant in the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at the Heritage Foundation. She earned her BA in Political Science and Government in 2017 from Liberty University where her tenure also included a project abroad at Oxford University.

LOOKING FOR A HILL JOB?

Check out this five-part HillFaith series by Bret Bernhardt, former chief of staff for Senators Don Nickle (R-Okla.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). Bernhardt has a wealth of experience, insider insight, how-tos and obscure terms (know what a “golden reference” is on the Hill?), plus lots of helpful links.

The Best Resources for Finding a Job On the Hill

Where Your Best Job Lead is on Capitol Hill May Surprise You

Getting in the Door on Capitol Hill

Here’s Nine Valuable Tips for Interviewing Well on Capitol Hill

Working on Capitol Hill is the World’s Best Job (Or at Least My Best Ever)

WORKING ON THE HILL: What A Conversation Today Between Thomas Jefferson And Martin Luther King Jr. Might Be Like

By Bret Bernhardt

Working on Capitol Hill provides many opportunities unlike those found in other workplaces. Recently, my wife and I along with a close friend took a bike ride around the Tidal Basin where the monuments of Martin Luther King and Thomas Jefferson stand.

It struck me that these two men now stand juxtaposed via their monuments across from one another and I wondered what conversations they might be having.

Jefferson, the father of the Declaration of Independence championed the ideals of freedom and equality, yet was a living contradiction as a slave-holding Virginian. While he attempted to reconcile this glaring incongruity, he died without doing so. Continue reading “WORKING ON THE HILL: What A Conversation Today Between Thomas Jefferson And Martin Luther King Jr. Might Be Like”

STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Movin’ On Up The Hill This Week

Courtesy of Legistorm:

Austin Heitzinger is the new Staff Assistant in the office of Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ). Austin was previously a Public Affairs Intern for SKDKnickerbocker. He also has extensive campaign experience in Oklahoma. He earned his BA from Central State University in Oklahoma in Political Science and Government in 2018, and he will complete his MA in Strategic Public Relations from George Washington University in 2021.

Mollie Cramer (Screenshot from Facebook).

Mollie Cramer moves up from an Internship to Press Assistant for Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL). She previously did an Internship in 2017 with Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL). Mollie graduated this year with a BA in Political Science and Government from Cornell.

Mark McKinnon is now National Security Adviser to Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL). Previously, Mark was an adviser to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in the Pentagon. He is a University of Mississippi graduate. Continue reading “STAFF NEWS: Look Who’s Movin’ On Up The Hill This Week”

Bipartisan Duo Of Former Hill Aides Say Mandatory Covid Testing Needed For Members And Staff

Kendra Barkoff Lamy is a former press secretary for then-Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE). Doug Heye was deputy chief of staff for then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA). There’s not much politically on which these two agreed.

But they both contend it’s past time for Congress to adopt a program of mandatory Covid testing for Members and staffers. Writing on the Opinion pages of the Washington Post, Lamy and Heye contend:

“Frequent testing, with rapid results, would cut the risk not only on Capitol Hill but in every related community across the country. With more testing, exponentially more American lives may be saved through reduced spread. Frequent testing would also set an example of transparency and taking Covid-19 seriously. Anything short of that fails all of us.

“We are not medical professionals, but we know that Congress can act swiftly to mitigate health threats, just as members and staff were quickly protected after letters containing anthrax were mailed to congressional offices in 2001. Congress should institute mandatory testing and make wearing a mask mandatory on Capitol grounds.”

Go here for the rest of the Lamy/Heye oped.