House Hearings

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Thinking Global: Impact through commitment

Monday, March 26th, 2018

In Lesson #5 of my previous post, I promised to share my thoughts about the hearing; “China in Africa: A New Colonialism?“. It discussed China’s engagements across the African continent and challenged China’s intent and the effects of their engagements. Now, at this point you’re either intrigued or scrolling to the next blog post. If […]

A Farewell to the District

Friday, November 10th, 2017

It’s truly amazing how quickly six weeks goes by in a city like DC. As I write this, trying to think of how to structure a summary of so many diverse experiences, all of the names and faces I’ve come across keep flashing through my mind. I met congressmen from around the country, both of […]

The Hill Has Ayes

Tuesday, October 3rd, 2017

My first experience with Robert’s Rules of Order was when I was a citizen at the American Legion Auxiliary’s Louisiana Girls State program. That was a great introduction but no where near the level our Congress People work through markups on the hill. A markup is the process by which a U.S. congressional committee debates, […]

Midwest Nice AKA USA Nice

Friday, September 8th, 2017

Growing up in the Midwest, I was often warned about “the Coasts.” I was told by many a Midwesterner that people in these two mysterious lands were not as nice as those living back at home, that they were often rude and harsh. In fact, I remember when my brother and I traveled to Philadelphia, […]

Pandas, Puppies, and a Moose on the Hill

Sunday, April 6th, 2014

And so the week marched on, with Tabitha and I starting to get our bearings – both as temporary citizens of DC and as seasoned pros of the march up to Capitol Hill. After attending, and this time actively presenting at an appropriations meeting with Gina and Chris (a consultant for AVMA) to David Scott’s […]

Getting the Lay of the Land: First Days in DC

Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

Every time I turn around in D.C. there are type A people (just like me… on a good day) waiting to start up a thoughtful, timely conversation peppered with facts they JUST gleaned from the latest twitter feed and name dropping like they know everyone in the United States. This is a city brimming with […]

Federal budgeting

Friday, April 19th, 2013

Earlier this week I attended an Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies House Appropriations subcommittee hearing, led by Chairman Robert Aderholt, R-AL 4th District with primary witness Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture. I don’t consider myself particularly economically inclined. Reading about the rise and fall of the stock market leaves me with more […]

Field trips

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

I wish every vet student could experience these four weeks in D.C. I am extremely grateful to be able to participate in this externship, as I have come in contact with some very cool people! Everyone seems very willing to talk to impressionable young vet students. On Thursday, Zach and I visited the FDA Center […]

Crawfish, Caslick’s, and Girl Scouts

Monday, June 11th, 2012

It’s 9 pm on Saturday night, and I’m crammed on the end of a ten person table sitting right by the restrooms (I literally have to move my chair when people open the door) at the Vienna Inn Restaurant. I just ordered dinner with my wife, Lauren, my brother and two of his Naval Academy […]

What a Mighty Long Acronym you Have!

Friday, July 8th, 2011

The better to confuse you with my dear. DHS at 9, PDUFA at 12, RHOB at 2… wait what? DC is all about acronyms, all the time. I’ve been making my way around Washington and Virginia through a series of meetings and appointments, and almost every one of them has had a 3 to 4 […]

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