Fall 2026 Government Affairs Intern

CTR BUDGET POLICY • Washington, DC

13h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a high-caliber strategic policy institute that informs and shapes public policies to reduce poverty, promote equity, and build opportunity. It has a national reputation for conducting rigorous research and analysis, developing evidence-based policy ideas and strategies, shaping a broad array of policy debates at the federal and state levels, and influencing policy outcomes on a range of critical issues. It focuses on improving the lives of people with low or moderate incomes and examines how policies affect particular groups, including Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; immigrants; people with disabilities; and LGBTQ+ people. CBPP is known for its unique capacity to blend rigorous, timely analysis with effective communications that enable policymakers and the media to make use of its work. The Government Affairs Intern plays a collaborative role in supporting the Government Affairs team. They will have a unique opportunity to contribute to CBPP’s policy areas, primarily by tracking legislation affecting budget/tax policies and economic security programs.

Requirements

• Strong research, writing, and communications skills
• Effective problem-solving skills
• Ability to multitask and juggle competing deadlines
• Understanding of and passion for CBPP’s policy areas and interest in low-income issues
• Desire to learn more about the legislative policy process and advocacy coalitions
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Undergraduate student or recent graduate with coursework/major in public policy, government/political science, or a related field
• Must have documentation of work authorization for the U.S. AND a U.S. Social Security number, as of the start date of the internship, to be employed by CBPP.

Nice To Haves

• Successful interns will have a commitment to CBPP’s mission to improve the well-being of low- and moderate-income people and advance racial equity.
• To expand the diversity of voices that speak with authority in federal and state policy debates, CBPP’s internship program identifies highly motivated candidates — particularly those with experience with communities that are underrepresented in policy debates — with a demonstrated interest in working on public policies that affect low-income and diverse communities and have implications for racial equity.

Responsibilities

• Tracking current legislation and amendments moving through the congressional process
• Attending congressional hearings/markups and other policy events and summarizing policy debates
• Monitoring statements from policymakers and experts
• Maintaining vote/policy stance/target grids
• Preparing meeting, briefing, and presentation materials
• Formulating responses to questions and requests for information from external partner organizations and individuals
• Maintaining a SharePoint database containing contacts for congressional staff and coalition partners

Benefits

• Undergraduate students receive $18.00 per hour.
• Students with a bachelor's degree receive $19.00 per hour.
• Graduate students receive $20.00 per hour.
• Students with a master’s or law degree receive $21.00 per hour.
• Doctoral students may receive between $20.00 and $22.00 per hour, depending on progress toward completion of degree requirements, relevant coursework, and research.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree