U.S. Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, thanked the committee's interns for their work during the spring term, according to an April 21 announcement.
Risch said the interns had a unique opportunity to observe how the U.S. Senate advances American leadership abroad at a time of heightened global instability. He said, “This spring, I was pleased to welcome interns to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. At a time of heightened global instability – from strategic competition with China and Russia to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Europe – these interns had the unique opportunity to observe how the U.S. Senate advances American leadership abroad. I’m grateful for their hard work and wish them continued success in their next chapter.”
The committee's spring interns included Jared Abel from St. George, Utah; Benjamin Tracy from Germantown, Tennessee; Thea Porter from Brattleboro, Vermont; and Darek Silva from New York City, New York. Each intern contributed by working on various regional portfolios or policy areas such as Eurasia and Africa issues, Indo-Pacific affairs, Middle East policy, defense policy, political-military affairs, national security strategy, and international human rights law.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is responsible for developing and influencing U.S. foreign policy through examining treaties and legislation according to its official website. The committee operates as a legislative body focused on international relations within the U.S. government according to its official website. Its chairman leads majority members while its ranking member heads minority members as detailed on its official website.
Since being established in 1816 as one of the original standing committees of the Senate according to its official website, it has played significant roles in shaping foreign policy decisions including supporting measures like the Truman Doctrine in 1947 and Marshall Plan in 1948 per its official website, as well as rejecting the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 and 1920 as noted on its official website.
Looking ahead, Risch expressed his appreciation for this group’s contributions during an important period for U.S. foreign relations.
