What’s it like to be a freshman congressperson? Jared Polis (D-Boulder) says it’s a lot like being a freshman in college.
New members have a lottery for our rooms (offices). We “rush” for our committee assignments and elect a class president (Martin Heinrich of New Mexico).
We wander around aimlessly, clutching maps, trying to find our way around “campus.” There are even intramural sports; I played baseball in high school and hope to join the congressional team.
And just like college, newbies are often lumped together and collectively, even mockingly, referred to as “The Freshmen.” Some of the upper classman are a bit snooty and don’t talk to us lowly fish, but others are friendly and eager to help.
Rep. Polis is the first openly gay man to ever get elected as a freshman to Congress. He’s a good writer, too. He paints a fun picture of what it’s like to get your feet wet as a newly minted politician. He serves on the Education & Labor Committee and the Rules Committee.
I don’t think they’d ever let me be a congressman.