Congressional Internship Programs
Stored: Congressional Internship Programs
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | United States Congress |
| Top Organization | United States Congress |
| Creation Legislation | Various appropriations and resolutions |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | Congressional Internship Programs give students legislative experience, building future leaders through work in congressional offices. |
| Program Start | 1824 (informal beginnings) |
| Initial Funding | Varies by office; historically minimal until formalized funding in 1965 |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Congressional Internship Programs (CIP) encompass a variety of internship opportunities within the United States Congress, administered by individual congressional offices, committees, and supporting organizations like the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) or the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF).
These programs provide students and young professionals with hands-on experience in the legislative process, fostering an understanding of governance and public service, while aiming to develop future leaders by offering opportunities to work in congressional offices, supporting legislative and constituent services. Notable aspects include their evolution from informal roles in the early 19th century to structured, often paid positions today, with over 20,000 interns estimated to participate annually in Washington, D.C. during peak summer seasons.
Goals
- Expose participants to the legislative process and congressional operations.
- Build skills in public policy, constituent services, and professional development.
- Increase diversity in public service careers, with some programs targeting underrepresented groups (e.g., CHCI and CBCF internships).
Organization
Congressional Internship Programs are decentralized, managed by individual House and Senate offices, committees, or affiliated organizations. The United States Congress serves as the overarching entity, with no single sub-organization sponsoring all internships—each office or program operates independently.
Governance varies: personal offices report to Members of Congress, while committee internships align with committee chairs. Funding sources include congressional office budgets (Member's Representational Allowance for House, or Senate office funds), supplemented by external partnerships for specific programs (e.g., CHCI). There is no uniform leader title; oversight typically falls to chiefs of staff, intern coordinators, or program directors for structured initiatives.
History
Congressional internships trace back to 1824, initially as informal roles for campaign supporters or wealthy contributors. Formalization began in 1965 when the House passed a resolution funding summer interns, followed by broader adoption in the 1970s, such as the Lyndon B. Johnson Congressional Internship Program. Key events include the 1980s diversification efforts by groups like the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the shift away from paid internships in the 1990s due to budget cuts. Today, programs evolve to address equity, with some offices reinstating paid positions since the late 2010s, driven by advocacy from groups like Pay Our Interns.
Funding
Initial funding varied historically, often negligible until 1965 when House offices received allocations averaging $300 per month per intern. Modern funding depends on congressional budgets, with the House and Senate appropriating funds via annual resolutions—e.g., the 117th Congress saw increased intern pay initiatives. Some programs offer stipends (e.g., CBCF’s $3,000 for 9 weeks), while others remain unpaid, though efforts to standardize pay continue. Total funding is hard to quantify due to decentralization, but millions are allocated annually across all offices.
Implementation
Internships are carried out through placements in House or Senate offices, committees, or support agencies like the Congressional Research Service. Methods include legislative research, constituent correspondence, and event support, with rollout varying by term (spring, summer, fall). No universal end date exists, as these are ongoing programs tied to congressional sessions and office needs.
Related
- Congressional Research Service
- Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
External links
- https://www.house.gov/employment
- https://www.senate.gov/employment
- https://www.loc.gov/crsinfo/internships/