Brookings Legis Fellows
BEE welcomes new Congressional Fellows

The new year welcomed the Brookings’s Legis Congressional Fellows—Class of 2014. Participants in the Legis Fellows program acquire an in-depth understanding of the legislative process that helps their agency or company interact more effectively with Congress, gain an insider’s knowledge of congressional affairs and public policy, and build their resume with a unique fellowship. Fellows chose a seven-month fellowship or a twelve-month fellowship to serve in a wide variety of congressional and committee offices.

“Though threads of policy thought is more or less consistent, the spin of politics that swirl around policy can … well … leave one’s mind spinning. After a year of up-close observation and involvement Brookings Legislative Fellows will never read, blogs, journals, news or watch cable public affairs (read entertainment) content the same way again. Their understanding and insights will be levels above their peers.”

– Bob Carr, Former Congressman (D-MI); Senior Advisor, Brookings Executive Education

On January 2, Legis Fellows from federal government agencies such as Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of State, and several others gathered to begin their eight day orientation program. The intensive orientation was led by experts at the Brookings Institution and on Capitol Hill.

“Every year I look forward to the start of the new class and finding out their unique identity. Each year, each class presents new ideas and is truly distinct.”

– Ian Dubin, Director, Legis Fellows, Brookings Executive Education

Within 10 days of orientation completing nearly 100% of the Legis Fellows were placed in congressional and committee offices. Brookings Legis Fellows are currently serving in the following offices:

  • Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI)
  • Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-PA17)
  • Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)
  • Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX12)
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
  • Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
  • Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
  • Congressman Devin Nunes (R-CA22)
  • Congressman Devin Nunes (R-CA22)
  • Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL8)
  • Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Majority)
  • Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
  • Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
  • Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO1)
  • Congressman Charles Boustany (R-LA3)
  • Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
  • Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI)
  • Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
  • Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX10)
  • Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY13)
  • Senator Jack Reed (D-RI)
  • Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY13)
  • Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL4)
  • Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)
  • Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (Maj)
  • Senate Budget Committee (Maj)
  • Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA52)
  • Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD)
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
  • Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA5)
  • Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)

“The opportunity to witness the adaptation of participants from the Executive branch of the government to the Legislative branch is remarkable and exciting. Fellows become ingrained in the culture of this once unfamiliar system.  At the end of their year on the Hill they leave the institution with a fundamental understanding of Congress and how to effectively navigate it in the future; that is truly the unique value of the fellowship.”

– Trevor Corning, Legis Program Manager

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4 Responses to "BEE welcomes new Congressional Fellows"

  1. avatar Carl Eichenwald

    I think Phil P hits an important point. There is a great deal of self-selection that comes in the application process. Without placing values, if one believes in limited government then one may be less likely to enter the federal service or look for broader opportunities. Also, Brookings is not the only fellowship program in town and I would expect many programs might skew in one direction or another.

    Carl Eichenwald
    2008

  2. avatar David Logan

    It certainly seems as though these fellowships are disproportionately with Democrat offices. I’ve worked at Brookings and on the Hill, and I think it’s a shame to not ensure that there is fair political ideological representation. If this is an issue of self-selection into the program, the application process needs to be tweaked.

    As an alumnus, I must say this is very disappointing.

    • avatar Ian Dubin - Director, Brookings Legis Fellows

      Thank you for your comment. I want to take this opportunity to explain the program and make clear the organization and program do not take political positions. Applicants to the program are self selecting and usually do not have political backgrounds. Even if the application were to ask about political ideallogy the answers would not be reflective. Each year during orientation we take time to explain the politics on the hill and how they “brand you”. Also, each year, we have Democratic fellows who end up in Republican offices and Republican fellows in Democratic offices. The Fellows decide where they spend their year, but the program role is to guide them in the basics of how Congress operates.

      The orientation schedule features both Democrats and Republicans and we do not favor either. We have strong relationships with both sides and in fact have placed fellows in leadership offices of both House Democrats and House Republicans in recent years!

      If you are interested in the program please visit us at http://www.brookings.edu/about/execed/legis-fellowship

    • avatar Phil Parisi

      I was a 2006 fellow. When we had the open house, 29/30 hosts were from Democratic members or committees. (I was fortunate to get a position on Senator Hatch’s staff through a connection). In fairness, the Brookings coordinator at the time did try to promote Republican interest. It’s just that Democratic members are more willing to hire government workers. And since almost all gov’t workers (as well as almost all) fellows are Democrats, it is unlikely that Brookings will be successful in recruiting additional Republican members.