For legislative director Lauren Graham (Political Science ’22), her passion for politics began by observing her father’s, Chris Graham (Pre-Law ’97), involvement in local government. “I got interested [in politics] from my dad at a young age,” Lauren said. “As I grew and developed more intellectual capacity and more curiosity, I came to have the understanding that there’s an objective right and wrong. We need more of an objective understanding of truth in our politics and in our culture. That’s been my interest [in DC].”
From the U.S. House, Lauren is representing the next generation of American politicians. She invests in other young staff members on the job. “It’s been a rewarding experience, getting to work with the team and helping younger members grow.” On this journey, Lauren has been grounded in faith. Her advice to young politicians is simple: “You have to know what you believe and why you believe it.”
Living Intentionally
Lauren turned her passion into a career path when she decided to study political science. She made the intentional choice to attend Pensacola Christian College. At PCC, she knew she would receive an excellent education while also strengthening her faith. With the College’s biblical instruction and Christian community, Lauren would have the opportunity to prioritize Christ both inside and outside of the classroom. “It’s one thing to engage intellectually with ideas and experience pushback,” Lauren said. “But I didn’t want to go somewhere where I would face pressure to go against my Christian values, which are non-negotiables.”
“I didn’t want to go somewhere where I would face pressure to go against my Christian values, which are non-negotiables.”
While studying, Lauren appreciated how PCC encouraged organization. She refined time management as she balanced coursework with daily chapel and extracurricular activities, including her participation in college debates. The College’s Fine Arts productions, which range from classical concerts to theatre, also gave Lauren an opportunity to prioritize community. “Having to be at certain events on time and having to go to Fine Arts [provided] a lot of value and instruction,” Lauren said.
Lauren’s coursework helped prepare her to glorify God in her career. She deepened her research skills in journalism classes. “The process of gathering information, interviewing people, and figuring out how to get the best information out of interpersonal settings has been really valuable for me,” Lauren shared. She also appreciated how the College faculty encouraged her critical thinking. She highlighted Mr. Jacob Burdick’s political science courses. “These classes were phenomenal,” Lauren said. “They were challenging, and he always pushed you to think a little deeper.”
Leading in Legislation
Lauren started her career as an intern on Capitol Hill. She worked as a legislative aide when she finished her internship. In 2024, she became the legislative director for Republican Oklahoma Representative Josh Brecheen. She leads the congressional team, managing tasks for three staff members. She excels in her dynamic workplace, tracking bills that come to the House floor, providing briefings, attending committees, and researching. “Every day looks a little bit different,” Lauren added. “I manage the congressman’s legislative team. They’re all fantastic, and I help the congressman come up with ideas for legislation or [discuss their] practicalities.”
Like other PCC alumni in Washington, Lauren advocates for Christian values. Her work influences a wide range of laws, spanning from secret service fitness standards to policies protecting the unborn. “Congress regulates pretty much everything. I’ve really loved the opportunity to get to work on the issues I’m passionate about,” Lauren added. “Defending the family, pro-life [policy], things like that have been some of my favorite things to work on.”
Passing a bill is no easy task. After being introduced to a committee, the bill is reviewed before it can go to the House and the Senate. With the House’s democratic structure, party disagreements cause legislation to take more time to be approved. While experiencing these standstills, community and faith are invaluable to Lauren. “[It can be frustrating] when your boss has an idea or when your team is working on something and then you receive pushback,” Lauren said. “You have to surround yourself with good people [while] staying strong in your faith.”
“Getting to see the process of the bill being introduced, going through the House and the Senate, and then being signed into law was really fun.”
Recently, Lauren saw her efforts come to fruition when one of Representative Brecheen’s bills passed. “My boss had a bill that was signed into law last Congress. It was the DHS Border Services Contracts Review Act,” Lauren added. “It [gives] more oversight over border contracts that the Department of Homeland Security is involved in. Getting to see the process of the bill being introduced, going through the House and the Senate, and then being signed into law was really fun.”
The Importance of Foundation
At the House, Lauren takes preparation seriously. Research is paramount as she briefs her representative and leads the legislative team. She is even furthering her education by getting a master’s in government. As she learns from American political writings like The Federalist Papers, Lauren has refined her critical thinking. She encourages voters to also be informed. “Be knowledgeable,” Lauren advised. “Most people probably don’t even know who their member of Congress is. You can’t go to the ballot box with an informed opinion if you don’t have some idea of what’s going on. Look at [your representative’s] voting record. Not just what they say—politicians will say anything [in] election season.”
“You need to be grounded before you go out into the world.”
Lauren prompts young politicians—the future of the U.S. government—to build a strong foundation by knowing their moral principles. From her time at PCC to her current work at the House, Lauren’s faith has been her foundation. “You need to be grounded before you go out into the world. . .or else you’re going to drift with the changing tide,” Lauren said. “I’ve seen [God] open and close doors. At the last minute, God opened the DC door. It’s been very clear to me that I’m supposed to be doing this, [and] I’ve really seen Him directing my path.”
Read more about how God is directing and working through PCC faculty and alumni.