Despite being furloughed, congressional interns share key takeaways from their experiences
By SAVANNAH ANNO — features@theaggie.org
On Oct. 1, Congress was unable to reach an agreement that would extend or approve proposed funding for the new fiscal year, beginning what is now the second longest government shutdown in United States’ history.
As a result, around 670,000 federal workers have been temporarily suspended from their jobs — with another 730,000 working without pay, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. UC Davis students working as congressional interns through the University of California Washington Program (UCDC) in Washington D.C. were no exception to these changes.
Adrien Villanueva, a fourth-year political science and a UCDC legislative intern, began working in her congressman’s office just one week before the shutdown.
“The lead up was a pretty normal week, but there were whispers of the shutdown,” Villanueva said. “I went in on Tuesday, [Sept. 30] and my supervisor told us what the shutdown would mean for us: the house interns have been deemed nonessential and unable to work.”
In the week prior to the shutdown, Villanueva was responsible for answering constituents’ phone calls, monitoring her congressman’s social media and working on a special research project.
“It’s kind of been my dream,” Villanueva said. “I’ve been a judicial intern for Santa Clara County [and] I was a field intern for the Mayor Matt Mahan’s campaign, so I feel like I’ve been building up to eventually working for the federal government.”
Aidan Hyman, a fourth-year agriculture and environmental technology major and a UCDC legislative intern for California District 4 Congressman Mike Thompson, had similar ambitions going into the program. Like Villanueva, Hyman had limited time in the office before the shutdown began.
“The unfortunate answer is that nobody really knows what’s going on and it was pretty devastating for a lot of people because so many of us worked really hard to apply and get into the program,” Hyman said. “I’m still on payroll, but I’m not allowed to go into work and won’t get paid until whenever the budget is resolved. I wasn’t aware the fate of my internship would be so up in the air when I got here.”
Mikayla Lavitoria, a fourth-year political science major and a congressional intern, also shared her initial reaction after receiving the news that she would be unable to go back into the office.
“I’m a little sad,” Lavitoria said. “I spent so much money to be here and I put so much work into my applications: […] this lost time is disappointing because I wanted to be at Capitol Hill, working with the community.”
Transitioning from their full-time internships to being out of the office entirely, congressional interns like Villanueva, Hyman and Lavitoria have had to find other ways to spend their time. Outside of the courses UCDC offers — ranging from topics like “Museums and Politics” to “Economic Policy” and “Science and Federal Policy” — interns have found value in exploring the city of Washington D.C. itself.
“The museums are now shut down because the Smithsonians are government-funded, but we had this really great first week where they had a grace period,” Villanueva said. “So, I’ve been to the National Museum of Natural History, the Asian Art Museum and the African American History and Culture Museum. It’s been nice to have the freedom to experience D.C. culture, because it really is different here.”
Hyman and Villanueva also both spoke to the quality of the program beyond their internships. The program has filled their time with speaker events and discussions about the federal government, with a talk led by President of the UC Board of Regents James B. Milliken.
“A lot of us are not in our offices, but we’re living in D.C. and we’re fortunate enough to be here in such a crazy time,” Hyman said. “The most important thing we can be doing at our age is learn[ing] and try[ing] new things.”
For Hyman, Villanueva and Lavitoria, their experience being furloughed during the government shutdown has altered the way they view themselves, their future careers and the federal government.
“I’ve always talked about working federally and on Capitol Hill where legislation happens, but I feel like being here has made me realize local government is so much more important than people think it is,” Villanueva said. “Especially in a time [when] facism is on the rise, it’s important to focus on local institutions — because that’s where you’re going to be feeling it the most.”
Similarly, working in D.C. amidst the government shutdown has changed Lavitoria’s perspective on where she may see herself working in the future.
“I really wanted to have a career in legislation and I think being here during the government shutdown has shown that it’s maybe an unpredictable career path,” Lavitoria said. “At the federal level, I’m reconsidering if I want to go into it, and state or local politics feels a bit more stable.”
Hyman also recognized the feeling of fear students may feel pursuing a career in the federal government, but encourages his peers to try their hand at it anyway.
“For anybody who’s reading the news right now, it’s intimidating,” Hyman said. “But now, more than ever, it’s so important to have [the] youth and Gen Z making their voices heard, learning the ropes and moving their way up, because we’re inheriting this country. It was important to me, despite my fears and reservations, to still face that head-on.”
As the shutdown moves into an almost month-long affair, the interns also expressed their personal opinions on what they hope the U.S. will get out of Congress’ standstill.
“Yes, I want the shutdown to end, but I don’t want the Democrats to give up healthcare — there [are] bigger things ahead and we have to think about the long-term,” Villanueva said. “Of course it’s hard on interns and what we get out of the experience is important, but there [are] people suffering a lot more than we are and I hope the government can compromise to keep these very essential services for people.”
Hyman similarly noted the role of Democrats and their reasoning for maintaining their stance as the government shutdown continues.
“I’m personally glad the Democrats are standing up to extend healthcare subsidies and protect social programs,” Hyman said. “I think it’s not just about the budget, but also about drawing a line in the sand — we’re not just wanting to reopen the government, but prevent the slow erosion of public services.”
With their internships set to finish at the end of the quarter, UC Davis UCDC House interns are still unsure when or if they will be able to return to their offices. As they reflect on the first two months of their experience, students have shared hopes that they’ll still be able to take away important lessons, despite being furloughed.
“It’s opened my eyes to the way people our age can be involved, and why they should be,” Hyman said. “It’s reinspired me to continue working in public service and to want more young people in office: running for office, working for someone’s campaign or being a staffer. I can’t think of a role that’s more fulfilling — you’re working to leave the country a better place than you found it.”
Written by: Savannah Anno — features@theaggie.org
