A Tale of Two Capitol Hill Offices

“He always saw you and made you feel special and worthy.”  

Watching the funeral of civil rights icon John Lewis, I was struck by the words of his Deputy Chief of Staff Jamila Thompson, who eulogized the Congressman.

It’s no surprise that she painted a picture of a man – and a Capitol Hill office – where people were treated with respect and dignity.  “When he came into the office every day, he greeted every single staffer, every intern, every fellow with ‘Good Morning’ or ‘Good Day’.”  She added, “He created a fellowship.  He made us better.”

I spent 11 years on Capitol Hill, and had close interactions with dozens of members of Congress.  While few come close to the giant of a man we lost to pancreatic cancer this year, for the most part, Capitol Hill is filled with earnest members of Congress and intensely hardworking staff who truly want to improve the lives of their constituents.  Capitol Hill offices may differ on public policy, but dedication and sacrifice are required to put up with long hours, relatively low pay, constant competing priorities, and – sometimes – seemingly unreasonable demands from the boss.

The same week John Lewis was eulogized by three former presidents, a very different member of Congress went to the White House to fly to Texas for an event.  When Congressman Louie Gohmert learned that day he tested positive for Coronavirus, he returned to his Capitol Hill office and shared the news with his staff.  In person.  Apparently without a mask.

Congressional staff on both sides of the aisle were rightly outraged.  They deserve better.

Discretion is paramount is handling certain Capitol Hill matters.  But COVID-19 is a life-or-death matter, so I understand why one of Congressman Gohmert’s aides told Jake Sherman of Roll Call Newspaper:  “Jake, thank you for letting our office know Louie tested positive for the Coronavirus,” wrote the staff member.  

I’m not sure of the exact timing, but it sounds like that staff member learned about the diagnosis from the media.

In fact, the staff reportedly noted, Gohmert “requires full staff to be in the office, including three interns, so that ‘we could be an example to America on how to open up safely.’…When probing the office, you might want to ask how often people were berated for wearing masks.”

It takes a supreme level of disgust with your boss to go public like that.  But in this case, it’s totally understandable.  

As Anna Palmer reported in Politico, “Now, legislative aides, chiefs of staff, press assistants, members of Congress, career workers and maintenance men and women are venting their fury with an institution that does not have uniform rules or masking requirements, does not mandate testing, is run with minimal oversight and must contend with a gaggle of lawmakers who doubt scientists…”

And it’s not just Gohmert’s office.  “Our office has been required to be fully staffed since session resumed at the end of June (including an intern),” a scheduler for a House Republican member reportedly said. “While mask use isn’t banned, it’s also not encouraged, and has been derided on several occasions by the [chief of staff] and the member.”

Some may note the irony that staff in some Republican offices complain of working in unsafe conditions, while their bosses vote to roll back workplace protections and fail to provide adequate protective equipment to front line health care workers.  But I digress…

For now, I will leave you with inspiring words from Jamila Thompson’s eulogy:  “If asked how you may honor the congressman…you can make sure that his message, his work, his sacrifice lives on.  And that there are actions that every person can do regardless of their age or their station in life.  Be kind.  Be mindful.  Recognize the dignity and the worth of every human being.  Be the best version of yourself.  Be informed.  Stay engaged even though the work is hard.  And if you are of age, and eligible, for the love of God, please vote.”