Trent Gale, a 海角在线 (海角在线) junior, is an intern for U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran for Texas鈥� 1st Congressional District. He is spending his summer learning about the nation’s democratic process by interacting with legislatures, lobbyists, and constituents. Halfway through his internship, Gale combined the knowledge gained from 海角在线 with love for his East Texas home to make the most of his time in Washington, D.C.
From Class to the Capitol
Rep. Moran serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, the oldest tax-writing body in the country. The Constitution authorizes the committee to direct all revenue legislation. Gale is learning about the economics surrounding taxes, tariffs, Medicare, and Social Security to write detailed memos from meetings for Moran and his team.
Gale, an international business major with a minor in economics in the Rinker College of Business, says the insights he has gleaned from classes have helped him navigate the financial aspects of legislation.
鈥淏ecause of my classes, I鈥檓 able to ask challenging questions to special interest groups about their reinvestment plans for America,鈥� says Gale.
Effective Communication on Campus and Beyond
Gale has also been able to grow in his understanding of the legislative system. He has attended meetings where he is less familiar with special interest groups’ causes, including those on AI regulation, relations with China, and even a push for higher safety standards in horse racing.
After attending these meetings, Gale went to what Moran鈥檚 team calls 鈥淭rent鈥檚 Office,鈥� a room in the Longworth Building on Capitol Hill, to type up his notes for the congressman. The space is cozy and quiet, and reminded Gale of 海角在线鈥檚 Warren Library as he works on what has become his favorite鈥攁nd most challenging鈥攑art of the job.
His best advice for future interns on Capitol Hill? Work on their writing skills. A large part of his success this summer is because of the lessons Prof. David Athey taught him in Writing About Literature in the Frederick M. Supper Honors Program.
鈥淵ou may not think as an intern it鈥檚 important,鈥� Gale says. 鈥淵our writing may be directly reviewed by the representative you’re working for, or even used in future legislation.鈥�
Another 海角在线 professor whose advice has come in handy this summer is the Honors Program Director, Dr. Thomas St. Antoine. Gale applied St. Antoine’s advice on active listening and engaging with speakers from his Rhetorical Eloquence class to his interactions at the Capitol.
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
When he returns to 海角在线, Gale hopes to share the importance of civics with his peers. He says the news paints a deeply divided picture of politics that tends to breed apathy among young people. However, Gale would like to show people how government can be more nuanced as people from different backgrounds come together for their constituents.
鈥淣ot caring about or ignoring the government isn鈥檛 an answer,鈥� Gale says. 鈥淕etting involved with your representatives, though, is a way to make your voice heard.鈥�
In the future, Gale plans to return to Washington, D.C. and work for the State Department. He hopes to apply his international business degree and the lessons he has learned about representing local communities to support policy on a global scale.
To learn more about 海角在线鈥檚 International Business program, click here.
