Some newly elected Democrats are questioning the Harvard orientation for new Members of Congress. The orientation session, a “must attend” for Members-elect, dates back to the early 1970’s. It was set up to provide a venue for new members to gain practical knowledge of the Congressional legislative process as well as offering an opportunity to meet other new members.
The Washington Post and Business Insider reported that newly elected Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley have asked why the Harvard orientation included corporate CEOs, corporate lobbyists, and former Members of Congress now working at law firms, but did not include representatives of labor unions or advocates dealing with such hot button issues as the minimum wage, access to health care, gun violence, and climate change.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other new House progressives are tweeting their dissatisfaction with orientation at Harvard.
Lawmakers push review of new member events after complaints over lobbyists at Harvard orientation.
I am heartened that these progressive Democrats continue to question the status quo and insist on having Democratic values presented at influential forums such as the Harvard orientation for new Members of Congress. God knows, the corporate interests were well-represented.