09/24/2026
PSR Feature: “Studying Law in the World’s Greatest Deliberative Body”
For John “Jack” Bratton, the best way to understand Congress is to experience its process up close. A rising third-year law student at American University Washington College of Law, Jack came to Washington drawn to democratic governance and lawmaking. His time on Capitol Hill has since given him a front-row seat to the procedures, debates, and decisions that shape federal legislation.
In “Studying Law in the World’s Greatest Deliberative Body,” Jack takes readers inside his experience as a law clerk for the Senate Budget Committee under Ranking Member Jeff Merkley. He reflects on studying Senate procedure, following floor debates, and working through the complex rules that govern the legislative process.
For Jack, those experiences reinforced an important lesson: how Congress works can be just as important as what Congress does. He explores how procedure influences legislation and what happens when the lawmaking process breaks down, drawing in part on his experience during the 2025 federal government shutdown.
His experience has only strengthened his interest in legislative lawyering and his desire to build a career in Congress. With additional experience working for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the Center for a New American Security, and now Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Jack has continued to explore the intersection of law, policy, and public service.
Read Jack’s article in the upcoming Summer 2026 Public Service Review.
