Washington, DC B25 IQP cohort get warm welcome at U.S. Capitol

A cohort of 21 students, accompanied by Department of Integrative and Global Studies advisors Melissa Butler and Tsitsi Masvawure, visited the U.S. Capitol building where they had a memorable two-hour meeting with Representative James McGovern. The session began in the Rules Hearing Room, where McGovern addressed student questions about his entry into politics and the challenges he has encountered during his career. McGovern listened carefully to student questions and spoke candidly about the pressures facing U.S. democracy, including the spread of misinformation and the erosion of public trust in institutions. He emphasized how distorted narratives and deliberately misleading content can deepen polarization and make it harder for policymakers to address urgent national issues constructively. McGovern then guided the group onto the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, offering firsthand insights into the chamber's historic importance.

The visit culminated in an in-depth Capitol tour led by Kevin Rissmiller, a policy analyst for McGovern, who highlighted the building’s architectural grandeur and its central place in the nation’s democratic life. The visit deepened student understanding of how history, institutions, and individual leaders intersect in moments of national challenge, prompting them to reflect on their own roles as emerging professionals and engaged citizens in a complex political landscape.