A Prestigious Clerkship in the People’s House

This summer, I had the privilege of serving as a Law Clerk for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce — one of the oldest and most influential committees in Congress. Within E&C, I worked for the Oversight & Investigations (O&I) Subcommittee Minority Staff, a bipartisan body responsible for digging deep into government programs, corporate practices, and pressing national issues to ensure accountability, transparency, and effectiveness.

Views of the Capitol Rotunda

What the Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee Does

O&I’s work is wide-ranging, from investigating public health crises to scrutinizing federal environmental programs. It’s the part of Congress that asks the tough questions, reviews the documents, and presses for answers when something isn’t working the way it should for the American people.

What I Worked On This Summer

1. Hearing Support

I assisted in preparing for an O&I hearing by drafting potential lines of questioning for members. This meant watching prior hearings, reviewing official reports, and analyzing news articles to build context and strategy.

2. Legal Research & Writing

I tackled a range of research projects, from analyzing a proposed EPA rule repeal under the Clean Air Act, to examining appropriations law in light of GAO impoundment decisions, to assessing potential retaliation under the Whistleblower Protection Act. I also conducted rapid legal analyses on cases before the Supreme Court and other federal courts, helped draft oversight letters, and fact-checked key communications.

3. Investigative Assignments

I reviewed and categorized thousands of pages of discovery documents in oversight of a major federal climate program, identifying “hot docs” for follow-up. I also researched data broker practices, vetted new members of federal advisory boards, and tracked public statements that could be relevant to ongoing inquiries.

4. Litigation Tracking

I maintained and expanded the subcommittee’s litigation tracker, covering cases in health, environment, and energy. I also proposed new ways to monitor legal developments, such as compiling key quotes from court decisions on appropriations law and GAO reasoning.

The Rayburn House Office Building, where Committee hearings, staff offices, and the public interact

Key Lessons from Capitol Hill

Skilled staff are the engine of the Hill. Every hearing question and oversight letter is the product of deep research, sharp strategy, and institutional knowledge.

Relationships matter. Across offices, parties, and committees, trust and connection make the work possible.

Professionalism counts. In a partisan environment, respect and civility are not optional — they are essential for building coalitions and getting results.

We need more bridge-builders. Congress — and the country — needs more young leaders committed to working across party lines for the good of all Americans.

Looking Ahead

This clerkship was not just a résumé line; it was a front-row seat to the legislative process and a masterclass in how oversight protects our democracy. I’m walking away with sharpened legal skills, a deeper understanding of how policy is made and enforced, and a renewed commitment to using the law as a tool for accountability and positive change.

Serving the public in this way has been an honor — and I’m excited to see where these lessons will take me next.