Mastering the Details That Drive Policy Forward
This week, we spoke to Kelvin Bencosme, Legislative Assistant for the Office of Representative Pat Fallon.
Can you walk us through your career path and the steps that led you to your current role as a Legislative Assistant?
My career path has been an exciting climb from local community engagement to federal policy execution. It began in Miami-Dade County, where I worked on the ground as an Outreach Specialist, learning how local legislation directly affects infrastructure and community needs.
My bridge to Washington was built through the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute Global Leader Fellowship and the FIU Hamilton Scholar program. Both opportunities provided me the platform to intern on Capitol Hill for Rep. Vern Buchanan and the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. I then transitioned into full-time roles with the Committee on House Administration, moving from Staff Assistant to Professional Staff Member. That progression and the assistance of great work colleagues and mentors granted me the foundation for my current role as a Legislative Assistant.
Which policy areas or legislative issues are you most passionate about and how do you stay informed and engaged in those specific areas?
I am particularly passionate about Healthcare, AI, and Monetary Policy. My time with the Health Subcommittee crystallized my interest in the unsustainable nature of healthcare spending, how technology is evolving in the space of healthcare, and the much-needed reforms to healthcare.
To stay informed, I enjoy reading the Wall Street Journal and smaller lesser-known Newsletters. I occasionally dabble into Political Pro and Punchbowl but most importantly I like to use my industry network to stay well informed. Advocacy groups and think tanks can also be helpful to understand who is shaping the narrative.
Describe a challenging or rewarding project that significantly influenced your growth as a professional. How did you handle the challenge and how did it shape your approach to legislative work?
At this point in my career, I would argue that Capitol Hill is rarely about one single “eureka” moment and much more about the cumulative battle scars and wins you pick up along the way. So, some of the most notable experiences for me have been assisting the Energy and Commerce team during TikTok/AI hearing or the operational “marathon” of managing the franking portal during the most recent government shutdown where the franking team oversaw the processing of over 2,000 jobs in a single week (Exaggerated). Most recently, it was a staff trip to Texas where I visited federal projects and was able to get firsthand experience of how government funding is put to use. But most importantly and what has shaped me the most, is the bonds formed with my work colleagues during these moments.
What’s one piece of advice you would offer to those hoping to succeed as a legislative staffer on Capitol Hill?
Master the Small Stuff. On the Hill, your reputation is built on your reliability. Whether it’s note-taking, scheduling, briefing a single page of legislation, or showing up, do it with extreme attention to detail. People notice when you are the person who never lets a ball drop.
What do you believe sets Capitol Hill apart as a unique work environment, and how do you navigate its challenges in your everyday work?
Capitol Hill is one of the few places where you are simultaneously a therapist, historian, researcher, and crisis manager. It is a high-pressure ecosystem where the stakes are national, but the community is surprisingly small.
Word association, what is the first word that comes to mind for each of these?
Policy – Impact
Networking – Collaboration
Writing Skills – Creativity
Working on the Hill – Electric
Leadership Connect – Connectivity
