Week One

Six days under my belt and it feels like a month! I have new respect for how smart, energetic and hardworking Hill staff is (I see them much more often than Senators). They set a high standard.

I've continued to read and summarize testimony, draft potential questions to consider being asked, and reviewed the president's (POTUS in Hill-speak) SOTU (State of the Union) for budget impact. Today the budget was released, so everyone's going through it for impact by state, by department, by interest area. The budget looks very different depending upon what lens you look at it through - different values yield a very different perspective. And the administration and the Congressional majority are very far apart. Is the answer "growing the economy through productivity?" Who does this leave out of the equation? What is the impact on the environment if all we do is produce more goods and services? Is the purpose of government only to protect its borders and issue money above all else? There's much passion, opinion (much opinion!), and emotion about all this, as the stakes are high, and time is short for meaningful solutions.

I've prepared for, and observed several hearings. What happens in a Senate hearing? The experts are selected in advance (often based on past appearances and testimony) by the majority and minority. In fact, their testimony is often circulated to committee members in advance (helpful, and aids in preparations while minimizing surprises). The more interesting part tends to be the question/answer time with the committee members and the experts. Members sit clustered by political party down the horseshoe of a dais, and by seniority within their party. They ask questions in that order, alternating Democrat, Republican, Democrat, etc., seven minutes/member (at least in the committee hearing I "staffed"). The minutes and seconds count down in front of the Members, so they know how much time they have left, and they get noticeably restless when the expert uses up too much of their questioning time with an answer. Senate staffers responsible for that subject area sit behind the Member on a long padded banquette, to be available to answer questions or provide facts to the Member.

Last week I was emailed by a Legislative Assistant (LA) who was staffing a hearing, asking a quick question for the Senator. So there I am back in the office doing rapid research to get the data he was seeking. You can tell who the staffers are, as most have their blackberries out, thumbs flying.

The week also included a workshop. Especially because of the ethics reform, all staff is required to attend an ethics training within 60 days of hire. So there I am at the end of my first week in a room in the basement of the Hart Senate Office Building with 100+ other staffers learning about what you can and can't do. Accept nothing from lobbyists, no taking pizza or gifts of a certain amount, strict limits on travel, and so on. And of course only eat standing up during a reception (only half kidding). I read the office manual that afternoon, which has clear guidelines for staff, including limits on blogging, so I can offer little specific information about my office assignment or specific work. Confidentiality is expected, and trust is paramount.

We've run out of chocolate in the office (thank goodness, although now everyone's starting to bake for one another), I've stashed office shoes and a spare jacket just in case I'm called to a meeting, and the crackers and dried fruit is in a drawer for sugar crashes. Too often I find myself gobbling a quick lunch in between tasks. I'll have to work on pacing myself and finding a rhythm during the day once I get a sense of how to predict the work.

In setting up my cubicle, I figured out how to adjust the desk chair (at least now I'm not slipping off) and learned how to watch TV on the computer while I work (no, not Oprah, but the Senate committee hearings and floor action). It's very interesting to watch some of the hearings, and those high school habits of listening to the radio while I did my homework are coming back to me. Work is mostly finding and summarizing information, and having good contacts and resources are coming in handy.

While not much time now that the days are long in the office, I still try to be a tourist. I took a fascinating self-guided walking tour of the Kalorama district (NW quadrant near Dupont Circle), where many of the embassy mansions and older homes are. Joined the textile museum and saw Woodrow Wilson's house (not to mention his homes in Princeton, NJ at 72 Library Place, 82 Library Place, and 25 Cleveland Lane). And discovered a wonderful farmer's market - year round! The sweetest carrots ever! What a find. Local farmers from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Resist the baker, patronize the mushroom lady. And avoid those berries and grapes in Trader Joe's - am trying to eat what's in season to support sustainable agriculture.

Will write about my first meeting in the Capitol and the sounds and smells of the neighborhood in an upcoming post.