Heard on the Hill
Security official warns of more suspicious letters to lawmakers
A wave of suspicious letters mailed to members of Congress is likely to continue, House officials warned Monday, describing a white powder in the envelopes. So far, “none of the letters received by Congressional offices have been determined to contain hazardous substances,” according to a memo sent to members and staff and obtained by CQ […]
Journalists mourn former press gallery director Laura Lytle
Laura Lytle, a former director of the Senate Daily Press Gallery, died Tuesday at age 51. She was a fierce advocate for press access at the Capitol and brought a sense of humor to a job that could sometimes feel fraught, according to reporters who got to know her during her time on the Hill. […]
Into the uncanny valley of ‘Musk’
Alex Gibney knows a thing or two about confidence men. The director has probed the hubris of Enron executives, the political grift of Jack Abramoff and the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes’ blood-testing company, to name a few. So where does Elon Musk fit into that Mount Rushmore of characters? “Let’s give him some […]
Retiring Durbin stepped up to the plate time and again for baseball
Long before Illinois Sen. Richard J. Durbin climbed the ranks of Democratic leadership, he took an interest in the politics of baseball. Back in 1989, when Durbin was representing a Springfield-based district in the House, he lamented changes that were being proposed to the professional ranks of America’s national pastime, including railing against the potential […]
The anthrax attacks, 25 years later
When David Malet arrived at his job on Capitol Hill on Oct. 15, 2001, some semblance of normalcy was just starting to return after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The flags were back at full-staff. Things were calming down, even as reports simmered around the country about mysterious envelopes sent to media outlets through the […]
Rep. McIver joins rare group who have given birth in Congress
Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., announced the arrival of her daughter this week, boosting the ranks of congresswomen who have given birth in office. It’s still a small group — just 14 others have given birth to children while serving as sitting members of Congress, according to the House historian’s office. The announcement, which she posted […]
Calder clouds are rising on Capitol Hill
Outside, the weather was sunny with a slight breeze, a perfect early fall afternoon. But inside the Hart atrium, it was starting to look overcast — Alexander Calder’s Mountains and Clouds sculpture was one step closer to being restored to its original design. Workers prepped the dark metal “clouds” of the mobile to be hoisted […]
Journalists get the win in high-scoring Congressional Women’s Softball Game
The Capitol press corps reclaimed their title at the Congressional Women’s Softball Game on Wednesday night, securing a 22-16 victory for the Bad News Babes. The women of Congress had been hoping to make it a streak after last year’s upset but ultimately fell short, despite solid hitting from the team of all-returning players. “They […]
‘Heroine to us’: Mikulski returns to the Hill to mark 90th birthday
Current and former lawmakers gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of former Sen. Barbara Mikulski, a Democrat from Maryland who smashed through glass ceilings and “held the door” for the next generation, they said. Every living former and current Maryland senator was in attendance on Wednesday, as well as House giants like former Speaker Nancy […]
In a ‘very hard’ year for women in Congress, at least there’s still softball
A ball snapped in a leather glove as the sun rose higher over Capitol Hill. The hits weren’t coming easily that morning. “Wait for your pitch,” Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., yelled from the dugout. A few minutes later, Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., stepped up to the plate and drove one into center field, drawing cheers […]