Congressional office lottery

[5] Some representatives and members of their staff prepare for the lottery by ranking possible choices, as they only have five minutes to choose afterwards;[4] those decisions have been called "a slower, less exciting version of the NBA draft".

[5] While the rooms in the Rayburn building generally rank highest in members' preferences due to the subway link, it is rare that new representatives are able to take offices there.

[4] The Evansville Courier & Press has called having a bad location the "congressional equivalent of being sent to Siberia";[6] though an official from the Architect of the Capitol has said that the best office is "the one you've been elected for.

[5] In addition to location, considerations for office space have included whether there is present construction,[5] how allergy-friendly it is,[3] and the view, though Ted Yoho chose a room to be "up high and away from everybody".

[4] Prior to drawing, representatives and their staffers have performed rituals like playing a song by Frank Sinatra,[4] rubbing a bald head, or doing push-ups.