Intern Program Facts and Information
Committee on Ways and Means
Chairman, Bill Thomas (R-CA)
Congressional Accountability Act
Interns for the Ways and Means Committee perform services as part of a demonstrated educational program for congressional interns, as required by the Congressional Accountably Act.
Dress Code and Office Hours
The dress code is professional; a coat and tie for men; dresses, skirts (with nylons), and pantsuits are suitable for women. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
General Duties and Responsibilities
Interns for the Committee on Ways and Means will have the opportunity to learn about current legislation and the operation of the United States Congress. Some of the duties for which interns will be responsible include office duties such as filing, answering phones, sorting mail, preparing for Committee meetings, and assisting senior staff and subcommittees with various tasks. Interns are encouraged to participate in all lectures and seminars on Capitol Hill, as well as attending other congressional committee meetings and hearings. (See detailed descriptions on following page.)
Employment Facts
The Committee on Ways and Means offers paid and un-paid internship positions. Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 grade point average and must have completed two years of college in order to be considered for the internship.
References
Applicants must submit a list of at least two references. References from professors and teachers or professionals are preferred.
Writing Sample
Applicants must submit a one-page typed essay on why they wish to obtain an internship with the Ways and Means Committee, and/or the Chairman, Bill Thomas. The essay should include what the applicant would like to gain from this experience.
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Please e-mail (preferred) or fax, 202-225-2610, the completed application along with a resume, references and the indicated writing sample to: interncoordinator.waysandmeans@mail.house.gov
Updated 05/05/05
Internship Opportunity Descriptions
Committee on Ways and Means
Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA)
Full Committee
Front Office
As the main hub of the Committee on Ways and Means, the Front Office provides internships for undergraduate students (an abbreviated term is also available for high school applicants) opportunities to assist staff in the preparation for hearings, markups, and House Floor action, which are critical steps in moving legislative initiatives. The Front Office is a fast-paced environment in which interns serve as support to the entire Committee staff, and act as a liaison to the Chairman’s personal office. This position may include a fair amount of administrative duties, while at the same time affording interns the opportunity to engage in all aspects of the legislative process.
Office of Jurisdiction
This graduate level (preferred) internship involves working directly with the Senior Staff and Professional Staff regarding House parliamentary procedure and jurisdictional issues. Interns should expect a heavy workload, but will receive an invaluable learning experience with maximum exposure to the current legislative issues at the forefront of the Committee. Although there are general administrative duties, interns benefit from a multitude of substantive assignments that include tracking Committee legislation, research projects, and attending lectures/briefings on House rules and procedures. This internship also includes assisting staff in the preparation for Rules Committee meetings and House Floor action.
Assisting the Calendar Clerk
This undergraduate internship involves working primarily with the Committee Calendar Clerk, and assisting the Front Office as needed. The Committee Calendar is a comprehensive legislative guide to all bills referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Due to the far-reaching jurisdiction of the Committee, interns should expect to acquire a thorough overview of the issues presented before Congress. In addition to basic administrative tasks, the intern’s primary responsibilities include tracking Committee legislation, assisting with bill referrals to subcommittees, and data entry listing Committee action.
Press Office
This undergraduate internship allows the intern to play a vital role in the operation of the Press Office and gain the unique opportunity to become familiar with the Committee`s entire scope of policy issues. This fast-paced office is the center of communication for the Committee. The dynamics of the Press Office require the intern to be flexible, work long hours, and become an active participant in the office. No two days are the same; the intern`s tasks will, therefore be dependent on the events of each day. In addition to some administrative tasks involving copying and answering phones, the intern will be responsible for monitoring news wires and assisting staff in the preparation of a daily collection of news clippings. Additionally, the intern may be asked to conduct research on a particular issue; attend press conferences, markups, or hearings; and help draft press releases and other documents. Strong writing and communication skills are needed, as well as an interest in communications, journalism and/or public relations.
Tax Office
This internship is offered primarily to undergraduate students; however, individuals who are studying tax policy at the graduate or legal level are encouraged to apply. The Tax Office provides a hands-on experience into the most substantive jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. As a component of the Full Committee, the tax staff produces and analyzes all pieces of legislation that effect the revenue measures of the United States. Interns will help in the preparation of Full Committee tax hearings, markups, and House Floor action. In addition to administrative tasks, the tax office provides an opportunity to act as a liaison between the Committee and Member offices regarding significant legislative matters. The consistent flow of legislative initiatives produced by the tax staff, allows interns to experience all aspects of the legislative process.
Subcommittees
Health
The Subcommittee on Health provides internships for graduate (preferred) and undergraduate students. Internships in this office are afforded the opportunity to assist staff in the preparation of hearings, markups, and Floor materials. As the foremost authority on health policy within the House of Representatives, the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health is responsible for a broad range of critical health related issues, such as Medicare, the Patient’s Bill of Rights, and other areas of health care reform. The Subcommittee on Health is a fast-paced, dynamic environment where interns serve as support to the entire Subcommittee staff; exposing them to numerous cutting-edge health related issues. This position involves both administrative office support tasks and opportunities to be on the “front line” of the legislative process.
Human Resources
This undergraduate and graduate internship offers a glimpse into the inner workings of American social policy. Intern duties comprise a mix of administrative tasks with policy research and analysis as requested by the professional staff. Additionally, interns enjoy the opportunity to attend hearings, markups, presentations, and various other events around Capitol Hill related to the policies of the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee on Human Resources has jurisdiction over a broad array of critical social policies such as welfare reform, childcare and child support, foster care, and unemployment compensation, among many others. Perhaps most notably, the Subcommittee was at the center of the landmark 1996 welfare reforms, which are widely held to be one of the greatest policy successes of the past century.
Oversight
This undergraduate or graduate level internship provides the opportunity to combine writing, research, and analytical skills. The Subcommittee on Oversight is a research-oriented office where the intern should expect to have several in-depth long-term projects. While interns should expect to fulfill some basic administrative duties, they will gain both an understanding of the importance of Congressional inquiries. They are also afforded the opportunity to gain useful oversight skills by performing detailed background research, writing summary memos and analyses, attending briefings, and assisting staff in all phases of hearing preparation. The Subcommittee on Oversight is responsible for reviewing pertinent issues within the Committee`s jurisdiction, including U.S. Department of Treasury/IRS-related policies and actions. Recent examinations and hearings have included the charitable response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the need for tax simplification, IRS tax scams, the future of retirement security, and benefits from various tax credits.
Select Revenue Measures
The Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures provides internships for both law school (preferred) and undergraduate students. This internship provides a hands-on experience into many of the tax policies created and analyzed by the Committee on Ways and Means. Working hand-in-hand with the tax staff, interns with the Subcommittee will work on tax legislation in an in-depth research position, focusing on such issues designated by the Chairman, such as H.R. 7, “The Community Solutions Act of 2001” and H.R. 4, “Securing America`s Future Energy Act of 2001,” from the 107th Congress.
Social Security
The Subcommittee on Social Security internship is available to both graduate and undergraduate students providing opportunities to: attend hearings, presentations by outside groups, events across Capitol Hill relating to Social Security; as well as work with our professional staff on research projects. The Subcommittee on Social Security provides an engaging work experience involving a cornerstone in the domestic policy of our country. Identity theft, fraud, disability, and global aging may not be the first things that come to mind when you think “Social Security,” but in this Subcommittee, you will experience first-hand these and several other policy areas. Social Security is a key component of Americans’ retirement security, and with this internship, interns learn to appreciate how much this program impacts the American people.
Trade
The Subcommittee on Trade provides internships primarily for graduate and law school students due to the technical aspect of the policy issues. However, undergraduate students with a strong interest in international trade are also encouraged to apply. This internship provides opportunities to research global trade issues and learn about the development of U.S. trade policy and the role of Congress in guiding the negotiation and implementation of bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade agreements. Interns in the Subcommittee help prepare for hearings on trade issues, meetings with foreign officials (including meetings with foreign heads of state), and consultations between Members of Congress and the United States Trade Representative. The Subcommittee on Trade is a small, closely-knit, fast-paced environment with ample opportunity to work with senior staff.
(Consult the Committee’s web page for a detailed listing of the specific jurisdiction of each Subcommittee.)
*** COPY AND PASTE INTO WORD OR WORDPERFECT THE FOLLOWING INTERN APPLICATION. FILL THE APPLICATION OUT AND EITHER EMAIL IT TO interncoordinator.waysandmeans@mail.house.gov (BY REATTACHING YOUR WORD OR WORDPEFECT DOCUMENT) OR FAX IT TO 202-225-2610. IN ADDITION, YOU MAY DOWNLOAD THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION IN PDF FORMAT, FILL IT OUT AND FAX IT TO THE COMMITEE AS WELL. Intern Application Form PDF (96k). IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS, PLEASE EMAIL THE INTERN COORDINATOR AND THEY WILL EMAIL YOU AN APPLICATION IN WORD.
Intern Program Application
Committee on Ways and Means
Chairman, Bill Thomas (R-CA)
Name_____________________________________ Date __________
E-mail address ________________________________Political Affiliation_________________________
Permanent Address: Street ___________________________________________________________
City, State, & Zip code _____________________________________________
Day Phone ( )_______________ Evening Phone ( )_____________
School Address: Street __________________________________________________________
City, State, & Zip code ______________________________________________________
Day Phone ( )_________________ Evening Phone ( )____________________
High School _______________________________________Graduation Date _____________________
College ___________________________________________Graduation Date _____________________
Major _____________________________ Minor ___________________________ GPA____________
Graduate Program/s (school and program name)____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Graduation Date _____________GPA ____________
Internship for which you are applying:
Winter______ Spring ______ Summer______ Fall _____
Available Dates _______________________________________________________________________
Full Time / Part Time (please indicate days of week)__________________________________________
Foreign Languages____________________________________________________________________
Computer Skills (Please note the programs with which you have a working knowledge)
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Please rank the following offices listed below within our Committee that are of interest to you:
Front Office____ Office of Jurisdiction____ Assisting the Calendar Clerk____
Press Office____ Tax Office____ Subcommittee on Health____ Subcommittee on Trade___
Subcommittee on Human Resources____ Subcommittee on Oversight____
Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures____ Subcommittee on Social Security____
Please list additional policies that are of interest to you______________________________________
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