Diversity from Hill Interns to Top Staff

Capitol Hill interns posed for this selfie with Speaker Paul Ryan. The lack of diversity among interns has an impact on the composition of congressional staff and top staff, who make decisions that shape our nation as a whole. This video is based on the Joint Center’s report on Racial Diversity Among Top Senate Staff. We found that although African Americans, AAPIs, Latinos, and Native Americans make up 36% of the U.S. population, they only make up 7% of top Senate staff (African Americans make up 1%, and Latinos 2%). This is an issue for both Democrats and Republicans.
Solutions:

• Hire interns and fellows from APAICS, CBCF, CHCI, INSIGHT America, and the GW Native American Political Leadership Program
• Be more transparent about who works in each office
• Interview at least one person of color for every job opening (use the NFL’s “Rooney Rule”)
• Establish a competitive, senior-level fellowship of color
• Each Member’s office should develop a diversity plan
• Require implicit bias training for staff who make hiring decisions

Coming soon: Joint Center report on Diversity Among Top U.S. House Staff.
In covering Hill diversity, several outlets referenced the Joint Center’s report, including The Hill, NBC News, Teen Vogue, The Washington Informer, The Washington Post, and many others.