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All Fellows are strongly encouraged to visit the congressional district or state of the Representative or Senator on whose staff they serve.

The constituency-based nature of the U.S. Congress makes it distinct among the parliaments of the world. By giving Fellows an opportunity to observe representative life first-hand, the district visit provides exposure to the full array of pressures that influences a legislator's approach to policy.

It is a rough rule-of-thumb that a Representative or Senator pursues two rather distinct lives.

• The responsibilities of legislative governance include serving on committees or subcommittees, participating in conference committees, organizing case work for constituents within the executive branch, etc.

   

• By contrast, the necessity of electoral life involves interaction with constituents: "backgrounding" the local newspaper editorial board and holding press conferences; meeting with local business interests and citizen groups; hosting town hall meetings; participating in local events; and all the other activities that connect the Member with those he or she represents.

   

The congressional district visit also offers the closest involvement with the Member that Fellows are likely to get. In Washington, the Member's life is run by a scheduler and the day is a succession of competing claims on the Member's time. Most Fellows will interact with their boss on specific issues or policies, but there is very little time to get to know the boss in a broader, more personal, way. The opportunity to interact with the Member gives Fellows a chance to understand the legislative process in all its complexity.

Political scientists, journalists, and APSA-MCI Fellows receive up to $1,000 reimbursement for a five-day visit.

Congressional District trip travel funds for all other Fellows must be provided by their sponsoring agencies or organizations (approximately $1,000 to cover the costs of transportation, room, and board). For more information on CFP Travel Policy, click here.