Young U.S. Capitol Aides Climb the Hill to Success

Jonathan Black, who turned 30 in November, rose to become a climate change analyst on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee only after spending years working his way up. After he earned a graduate degree in international affairs in 2001, he interned for a senator, then moved to the committee as staff assistant. He now carries one of the more prestigious committee titles: "professional staff member."

One afternoon, Black met in his office with lobbyists for the glass bottle manufacturer Owens-Illinois. They were to meet the next day with committee chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.).

"I think you've made a pretty good case about the energy-intense nature of glass, but I have a few questions," Black told the lobbyists, John J. "Jack" McMackin, 56, and Bert Carp, 63.

They asked Black whether lawmakers could make their industry eligible for carbon-emission allowances. Otherwise, McMackin said, their client would be vulnerable to overseas competitors with less-stringent environmental rules.

"The problem is that imports could eat our lunch," he said.

Black made no promises. "I'm not going to make much of a recommendation to the senator until after the meeting tomorrow," he said. "Certainly, you should make your case, and I'm sure he'll be sympathetic to the situation."

With that, all three men shook hands and Black saw them out the door.