Heard on the Hill

GENEVA, Ohio, and JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. — Unburdened by a Congress on summer break, President Donald Trump on Tuesday watched his Patriot Games finale like a stoic Roman emperor.  But he was soon reminded that congressional business looms, and acknowledged the 80th Congress built a legal wall that could spell a dead end for […]

It’s expected to be the final week before full-on August recess (fingers crossed). As the Senate raced to wrap up, a committee voted to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination moved out of committee. And candidates for the GOP nomination to replace Sen. Lindsey Graham on the ballot […]

Sen. Chris Murphy never thought he’d see the day when Alexander Calder’s “Mountains and Clouds” sculpture in the atrium of the Hart Senate Office Building would be complete.  But when the Senate returns from August recess, he said Calder’s “clouds” will be there to greet him. “I felt like I was going to retire from […]

When Colorado Republican Rep. Jeff Crank introduced legislation last week aiming to crack down on members of Congress dating staff, not everyone was happy. “If you talked to the women who are working on this, maybe you’d get it right,” the Democratic Women’s Caucus posted in response, accusing him of “trying to get a headline.” […]

Brian Jack wanted to snag Newt Gingrich’s old House office during the 119th Congress’ freshman room lottery. But as the 28th pick, he lost his first choice and pivoted to another historic room: President Lyndon B. Johnson’s office in Longworth, which the Democrat occupied from 1939 to 1942. A Republican from Georgia, Jack served as […]

It wasn’t Sean Astin’s first time in Washington. “As a C-SPAN junkie and a guy who loved ‘West Wing,’ I’ve always just felt a reverence for this place,” the actor says. Between roles in “The Goonies,” “Rudy” and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, he managed to fit in a stint as civilian aide to […]

A man was arrested Monday after driving up to the North Barricade of the Capitol in a rented Ford Bronco with a handgun in his lap, Capitol Police said.  He asked an officer for directions to the Supreme Court, which is across from the Capitol’s East Front. The officer ordered the suspect to put his […]

Sweeping moves to address sexual misconduct at the Capitol may not be coming anytime soon, given the slow pace of change in Congress. But even “low-hanging fruit” could make a difference, some staffers say. The Congressional Progressive Staff Association laid out some ideas in a letter sent to lawmakers on Tuesday. “Staff safety is crucial,” […]

As America gets ready to celebrate its 250th birthday, Congress is taking a road trip back to the place where it all began — Independence Hall in Philadelphia.  Led by Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Brendan F. Boyle, members will gather for a ceremonial event Thursday in his hometown, an effort Boyle said was two years in […]

Donald Trump may have taken over events in Washington around the nation’s 250th birthday, but the president is far removed from most activities in the states that have been part of America from the beginning — the 13 original colonies stretching from New Hampshire to Georgia. Among the thousands of events planned in those states […]