"internships are part of the pipeline for senate staff, and most people can't afford to work for free. with this funding, we can help more young people from all walks of life get their foot in the door, and make sure that senate staff looks like the rest of the country." in addition to schatz and murkowski, who have both offered paid internships prior to this legislation, the amendment was cosponsored by u.s. senators chris van hollen (d-md.), susan collins (r-maine), chris murphy (d-conn.), and dick durbin (d-ill.). 