AVMA Government Relations Externship: Bailey Goff

By Bailey Goff, Iowa State University

AVMA GRD Extern or TV Star?

As the first externs in the AVMA GRD office since the COVID-19 surgency, Marie and I have an unparalleled opportunity to experience vibrant, bustling Washington D.C. to its fullest.

Before venturing into the details of time in DuPont Circle, I’ll first begin by introducing myself – Bailey Goff, a fourth-year veterinary student at Iowa State University.  I obtained my B.S. in Animal Sciences with a concentration in Pre-Veterinary Medicine and a Minor in English from Purdue University in 2019.  With graduation in approximately two months, my next steps are pending (I’ll clue in later), but what I can say is I plan to make Washington D.C. my new locale in the immediate future.

My first week with the Government Relations Division (GRD) was nothing short of energetic.  After overview and establishment of externship goals, Marie and I introduced ourselves to troves of D.C. veterinarians with varying backgrounds, experiences, and passions.  On Thursday, I chatted with a veterinarian-turned-coach that made a career shift based on his strengths in helping those he works with.  On Friday, we heard the successes of an individual working in agricultural defense and research, a previous Capitol Hill fellow now working as a policy analyst, and an inspiring DVM/MPH with a proclivity for federal law and the enforcement of drug security.  Networking with individuals from FDA, USDA, AVMA, AAAS, and other organizations remains a crucial tool to recognize the density of veterinary medicine, and Marie and I look forward these continued conversations throughout our externship.

As a nonpartisan entity, the AVMA ensures appropriate relationships are established with members of both the Democratic and Republican parties (or other parties, if present).   On Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of attending two AVMA Political Action Committee (PAC) events – one with GOP Freshman House members and one with a Democratic Representative from New Jersey.  These “informal-yet-formal” events are opportunities to network with offices and establish partnerships for influencing legislation relating to veterinarians (like the impending xylazine scheduling changes or the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act [VMLRPEA]).  Alongside Dr. Lindsey Hornickel, I got to “event hop” and chat with Representatives, Chiefs of Staff, and staffers from Senate Committees – all while advocating for veterinarians across the country.

So why mention the possibility of “TV Star” in the title of this blog post?  While I’m not quite ready for the Oscars or Emmys, Marie and I did appear on C-SPAN during a House Committee hearing (see picture for proof – thanks, Mom).  Congressional hearings are held – usually alongside expert witnesses – to obtain information or insight on a certain topic, in regards to impending legislation, or for purposes of investigation (https://www.congress.gov/committee-schedule/).  On Wednesday morning, we attended the first hearing of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic titled “Investigating the Origins of COVID-19” (this is where the C-SPAN photo comes from, and I took my own ‘POV’ shot from my seat).  Thursday’s hearing with the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works titled “Protecting Public Health and the Environment in the Wake of the Norfolk Southern Train Derailment and Chemical Release in East Palestine, Ohio” was especially busy, bringing public spectators and commentors from across the United States.  These were a perfect introduction to the happenings on Capitol Hill, engaging with topics important to the 118^th Congress.  While my C-SPAN appearance isn’t my next “claim-to-fame,” I loved getting to attend these hearings, listening to committee conversations across the aisle.

I look forward embracing all opportunities during my next two weeks as an AVMA Government Relations Division (GRD) veterinary student extern!