Internships

Congressman Lieu offers internships in his Washington, D.C. and California offices during three different periods throughout the year:

• Spring: January – April
• Summer: May – August
• Fall: September – December

Standard internship hours are 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, we are happy to work with our interns to accommodate class and work schedules. Some schools offer course credit for internships. Stipends are available for both the Washington, D.C. Office internship and the California-based District Office internship, please reach out to our offices to find out more details.

Washington, D.C.

LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP: In Washington, legislative interns' responsibilities will vary. Candidates should be well-organized, responsible, reliable, and possess excellent oral and written communication skills. In addition, a qualified candidate will be generally knowledgeable of legislative issues and current events. Duties will include answering phones, researching legislation, giving Capitol tours, attending hearings and briefings, and assisting the Member and legislative staff with various projects. California and/or 36th District ties are preferred, but not required.

If you are interested in a legislative internship with the Washington office, please send all of the information listed below in an email to the D.C. intern coordinator at lieu.staff@mail.house.gov with "Fall 2025 Legislative Internship Application" as the subject line. Applications for the Fall 2025 legislative internship are now CLOSED.

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Brief, 1-2 page writing sample
• Connection to California's 36th District (if "no connection" list none)
• Internship term you are applying for (Spring, Summer, or Fall) and your availability during that time, presented as days of the week and hours in Eastern Time.

This is an in-person internship. Due to the high number of applications for our summer internship, we are only able to consider juniors, seniors, and recent college graduates. Please call the Washington office at (202) 225-3976 with any questions or concerns.

Los Angeles

In the Los Angeles office, interns may be asked to do a variety of things, including day-to-day work such as answering phones, conducting casework intakes, drafting letters, covering daily briefings, attending field events, and assisting with media clips. In addition, interns may be assigned to assist with various district-based projects of importance. This internship is geared toward college and post-high school students. Unfortunately, our office does not accept applications from high school students. Interns must be willing to commit to 17 weeks and 20 hours per week (2.5 full 8-hour days per week).

If you are interested in interning for the Los Angeles office, please send all of the information listed below in an email to the California intern coordinator at internship.lieu@mail.house.gov. Please call the Los Angeles office at (323) 651-1040 with any questions or concerns.

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Brief writing sample (2-3 pages)
• A list of two professional or academic references. Letters of recommendation are not required.
• Internship term you are applying for in the subject line (Spring, Summer, or Fall) and your availability during that time, including when you can start and end the internship as well as your Monday through Friday availability.  

Applications for the Fall 2025 Los Angeles internship are now CLOSED.

Intern Testimonials

Marcus Ortiz, Summer 2024 Legislative Intern (Washington, D.C.)

"Interning for Congressman Lieu’s office was one of the most educational professional experiences I could have asked for. The staff were always open to questions and new ideas, on top of being incredibly warm and friendly. As a legislative intern, I was able to work on policy memos, attend briefings, and help with constituent correspondence. The staff was also incredibly helpful when I asked for work on topics that interested me, such as immigration and data privacy. Learning about Congress in an educational setting is one thing, but running around the Capitol complex and learning from face-to-face interactions teaches you what professors and textbooks can’t. Anyone who is interested in public service would gain so much out of this experience and even those who are on the fence would have the opportunity to learn valuable professional skills and insights from some of the best in Washington. I cannot recommend this office enough!"

Svannah Marshall, Fall 2023 District Intern (Los Angeles, CA)

"My internship experience was immensely rewarding and the friendliness and supportiveness of the office’s staff far exceeded my expectations. I had a very reasonable work load, so as to always feel engaged in the functions of the office, without ever feeling overwhelmed, and I found that my responsibilities were always geared towards my professional advancement. This experience made me feel prepared for future employment in office settings because the staff really prioritized taking the time to train me on how to execute each of my tasks. I also greatly appreciate how I was able to indicate my areas of interest, in order to request projects that corresponded with my passions. My long-term projects were homeless research, veterans' issues, and legislative update, and my role in these projects expanded my knowledge of the vast array of polices and legislation that have impacted my areas of interest; this experience has helped me gain insight into the federal government’s processes and has better equipped me to possibly work in public service in the future. Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend pursuing this internship!"

Tarena Lofton, Spring 2019 Press Intern (Washington, D.C)

"I could not have asked for a better office to intern with than Congressman Lieu. Everyone in the office is extremely friendly, supportive, and invested in making sure that their interns develop the skills that they need to be successful. Each person in the office is dedicated to creating an environment that was not only educational, but also fun. As a press intern, I worked closely with both the Communications Director and Press Secretary. I was able to gain firsthand experience that allowed me to grasp a better understanding of what it is like to work in the communication field on Capitol Hill. Working for a member of Congress that is heavily involved in media and social media provided a unique experience that helped me learn how to better navigate the communications field. Each day I was challenged and given work that helped me develop skills that could be applied post-internship; whether that be working on or off Capitol Hill. Interning in Congressman Lieu’s office was one of the my most rewarding experiences thus far. I highly recommend this internship for anyone who is interested in learning more about Congress."

Sydney Olay, Spring 2022 District Intern (Los Angeles, CA)

“Interning for Congressman Lieu has been an extremely rewarding experience. Working in the District Office has given me the opportunity to help constituents with federal issues through casework intake. I’ve had the chance to sit in on a number of meetings with the Congressman and community members, furthering my understanding of how Representatives help their constituents. Despite working in a virtual environment, I have been able to gain a similar experience to working in an in-person office setting. All staff members are extremely welcoming and encourage the interns to be actively involved and explore areas of interest such as foreign affairs, education, or homelessness. I was able to take part in the Annual Multi-District Service Academy Day which is an opportunity for students and parents to learn more about the United States Service Academies and connect with Congressional offices. Being able to help out with community events has been a fulfilling and unique experience. I would definitely recommend this internship!”