Intern at the House

Jubilee USA welcomes Brian Tan, an undergraduate student from Texas with the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society as the Policy intern this summer. Brian attended a congressional hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs last Wednesday, June 10th.

Meeting my Senator, joining policy calls, and attending a congressional hearing on economic foreign affairs- what a way to start my first week with Jubilee USA!

As the Policy intern this summer in Washington, D.C., I am excited to expand my perspective on economic justice. I was placed here through the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society and their summer internship program, and I look forward to learning more. I am an undergraduate student majoring in International Affairs, and I recognize that understanding economic policy is an increasingly important aspect to politics, especially now!

Coming to the Jubilee USA office every morning has been an experience on its own; the route takes me past the Capitol building, the Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress. It’s quite a walk! Meeting the staff and joining the community here has been a seamless transition, too, from my summer vacation at home in Dallas, Texas. My knowledge on debt cancellation is admittedly limited, but getting accustomed to the issue and current policies has been a cinch. I’m looking forward to my summer with the staff here!

Last Wednesday, on only my third day of work, the interns and I were invited to attend a hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs that would focus on the International Monetary Fund (IMF). I had never been to a congressional hearing, so I was eager to attend! We left the office and took a short walk to the House hearing room, where the committee and five witnesses discussed economic policies, specifically the financial crisis and lending by the IMF. The hearing room itself was a grand space, but my most notable observation was the audience, filled with other young adults like myself. It was empowering to find so many other young people interested in economic policy and in a federal hearing for current issues. It’s good to know that I’m not alone!

The hearing began with opening statements by the Chairman and other committee members present; I am still learning about Jubilee USA and our focus to harmful lending, but I noticed that the committee largely focused on security concerns with loans and maintaining the United States’ status in the financial crisis. One committee member mentioned a need for “American values to be reflected in our foreign and economic policy,” and there was much attention to U.S. economic strength and protection.

I appreciated the focus on debt relief and the discussion on additional IMF funding to give loans, but as I have been growing to understand more as a Policy intern, I realized how this hearing seldom focused on nations who are struggling with loans. Instead, it gave significant attention to China and other successful economies and how to maintain our status amongst them. Luckily, debt relief is at least relevant and discussed, and concerns were raised by the committee to remember harmful lending policies, such as limits on education and healthcare spending to focus on loans.

Getting a perspective from congressmen and witnesses was enlightening, because it enforced the present mindset of American pride and maintenance that exists within foreign affairs. I am glad, however, that those concerns about irresponsible lending were discussed, as that is what Jubilee USA fights to stop. Knowing that congressmen raise up our issue in committee makes me all the more passionate to work for it!

Attending the hearing was a great experience, and I’m looking forward to all of the opportunities that Washington, D.C. has to offer. Jubilee USA is an excellent organization to explore these issues; I am already learning so much. There is no better time or place to be involved with economic policy!

Comments

[Debt Help TX]

Thanks for sharing you experiance...

[Debt Consolidation Companies]

Interesting post. Thanks for sharing it.