Capitol Hill interns have been an institution within an institution since I first worked for Congress in the late 1980s — and long before. From answering phones, to helping constituents, to legislative research, they are a vital part of any congressional office. I know my team could not function without them, and we are thankful for their tireless work.

But our thanks aren’t enough — we need to provide compensation for these hardworking young people.

Interning for a member of Congress gives students invaluable experience that they can use in their future professional careers. Students have the opportunity to see the legislative process and inner workings of an office firsthand.

Not only does a Capitol Hill internship give students networking and mentorship opportunities, but it can lay the groundwork for their future ambitions. In many congressional offices, previous Hill experience is a de facto requirement — and internships are a great way to get a leg up when applying for entry-level positions.

While obtaining internship experience is certainly beneficial to both the job candidate and the hiring office, many congressional internships are unpaid. This means that this opportunity is out of reach for young Americans who simply do not have the financial means to dedicate an entire semester or summer to a congressional internship without pay. For many young people, summer is a time to earn money to help cover the costs of college. And even if that isn’t the case, Washington, D.C., is one of the most expensive places to live in the country — and even if they try to work on top of their internship, the costs put it out of reach for too many.