From Class to the House Chamber

From Class to the House Chamber

Adam Grachek

Generally after a day of being at work, the Monday back from a really exciting weekend, the last thing you want to do is go to class. You spend your internship dealing with current politics and events because everything in D.C. revolves around what's happening on Capitol Hill and around the world; it's hard to continue that focus for 3 hours in class too. The material is still really interesting and you're being taught by someone who literally works for the DOJ, this program is truly giving you the best in the field. What's even better is when you can take what you've learned in class and truly see it at play in our government. After multiple discussions on polarization in politics I felt like I truly grasped the idea that Congress at the moment is completely dysfunctional. You have two political parties who can't even listen to each other's perspective, let alone compromise to create legislation that works for both sides. This world is so fast paced, constantly changing, and our government seems like it truly can't keep up with the world in which we live. 

On June 12, 2016, 49 people were gunned down by ISIS sympathizer Omar Mateen; the worst terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11. The grief and outrage of the event were felt by people all over this country, demanding action to help prevent this event from ever happening again. Some people were calling for tougher immigration policy, others calling for more regulations on gun control. Simultaneously, Congress was having the same divisions. On June 22, 2016, House Democrats sat in on the House Chamber floor demanding action be taken on gun violence. With cards permitting access to the House gallery seating, myself and others in WAIP witnessed the entire incident take place. With Republicans and Democrats literally yelling at each other inches away from their faces, there wasn't going to be any compromise made. The conflict between both parties was not only damaging for that night, but damaging for weeks to come. This was real life polarization taking place right before our eyes. 

From learning about polarization in class to actually witnessing the consequences of polarization, the applied educational experience in D.C. I've gained is something that could never be replicated at Ohio State.