July 2014
Oh how time flies – especially here on the Hill! I am currently more than half way through my time here
with the CPC and upon reflection, I am amazed at the sheer volume of knowledge I have gained and
work I have done in just two short months. The Grijalva office is warm and welcoming; I can always
count on a staffer to take time to answer a question or provide assistance on a project. Representative
Grijalva is one of the kindest men I have ever had the pleasure of working under and my supervisor Mike
Darner, Executive Director of the CPC, has consistently helped to guide me through my work with the
CPC and navigate the fast-paced and unique environment that is Washington, DC.
During my time thus far with the CPC I have had the opportunity to work on a number of projects both
big and small. Some of my day to day tasks include conducting legislative research as it relates to CPC
environmental and social issue areas, attending and/or organizing CPC meetings and briefings,
outreaching to congressional members via telephone and email, sending out daily CPC newsletters,
drafting bill support letters, and dealing with constituent correspondence. The list really can, and does,
go on and on.
One of the very first larger projects that I worked on came to me within my very first week with the CPC
when I was tasked with reviewing three documents – the CPC Better of Budget, the Independent Budget
and the Veterans Health Administration Interim report – and creating a guidance document for CPC
members. The document I created outlined the problems within the VA system laid out within the
Interim report and highlighted components of the Independent Budget that if implemented, would help
to mitigate those systematic problems. My document, in addition to being sent out to CPC members as
is, was also used to draft a sample op-ed piece that was also sent around to CPC members for their use.
This month I also began my work coordinating the CPC Energy and Environment Taskforce. Through the
Taskforce I have worked to facilitate staff level meetings, research energy and environmental issues,
develop rapid response messaging for members through social media, and organize informational
briefings on the EPA Clean Power Plan released earlier this summer. I have enjoyed my work with the
Taskforce as it has provides me with the opportunity to both dive into the issues that interest me the
most and develop projects for the Caucus that I feel are most important to address. In addition to the
tasks already mentioned, through the remainder of my time here I also hope to develop a CPC sign-on
statement/letter in support of the recent EPA Waters of the U.S. rule and circulate this document
among CPC members and outside environmental organizations.
I really could go on and on as all that I’ve mentioned merely serves to scratch the surface of the work I
have accomplished in just half my time with the Caucus, but there is so much more to this experience
than just the work! Washington DC is an exciting place offering fun and entertaining experiences every
single day. I’ve visited several of the local museums, attended networking events, eaten so much good
food and most recently this week attended the Make Progress National Summit. This was by far the
highlight of my time here on the Hill as I gathered with a thousand other progressive Millennials for a
full day of panel discussions, workshop trainings, and inspirational speeches by leading Progressives
such as Senator Elizabeth Warren, Vice President Joe Biden, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and so many
others. Getting to the midway point of this fellowship has been no easy task. While definitely rewarding,
it has also been challenging, frustrating, and even discouraging at times. This summit was exactly what I
needed to rejuvenate my dedication to the hard and tiring work I have been doing with the Caucus. I
look forward to the rest of the little time I have left here this summer and approach this time with an
open mind and an eager heart, ready to face anything that is thrown at me and give back all that my
skills and efforts can serve to offer.