Heard on the Hill

As political battles raged elsewhere around the Capitol, lawmakers temporarily buried their differences Wednesday in order to get ready to bury a time capsule marking America’s semiquincentennial anniversary. The project is the result of bipartisan legislation signed into law in February 2026 directing the Architect of the Capitol to create and prepare a congressional time […]

Jeff Crank points to a framed photo hanging in his office, signed by his boss at the time. “Great baby! Great name! Great family!” wrote then-Rep. Joel Hefley in silver ink. In the photo, Hefley is holding Crank’s son — also named Joel — in front of the Capitol. He wasn’t named entirely after the […]

When John Leganski walked into Kevin McCarthy’s office as an intern in 2012, he’d barely heard of the man who would come to define his political career.  But now, Leganski’s something of an expert — so much so that he could write a book about the former speaker.  Which is exactly what he did.  “Glory, […]

On a muggy Wednesday evening, a raucous crowd gathered to cheer on politicos as they competed in what has become a beloved Washington tradition. It wasn’t the Congressional Baseball Game, which was being held across town the same night. But the rivalry was no less fierce at the National Press Club’s Press and Politicians Spelling […]

Despite warnings from the architect of the Capitol about a dire need to renovate the Rayburn House Office Building, lawmakers say they still aren’t fully sold on the project, which could last until 2045 and cost $9 billion.  Even as AOC Thomas Austin argues that delays would only come with more dangers and heftier costs, […]

The National Mall is being transformed for almost daily events in the weeks leading up to the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, with unprecedented security and a request that those planning to participate in some of the main activities register in advance. Events kick off Friday evening near the Capitol with a watch party […]

Democrats are looking to break a five-year losing streak at Wednesday night’s Congressional Baseball Game, hoping a revamped roster will be enough to beat Republicans. But partisan rivalry aside, research suggests the game may boost legislative collaboration. Playing baseball gives legislators the chance to forge bonds outside the halls of the Capitol, according to SoRelle […]

As one lengthy renovation on the Capitol campus comes to an end, another one is about to begin — and lawmakers are hoping it won’t come with the same blown deadlines and cost overruns. Members pressed Architect of the Capitol Thomas Austin on how to use lessons from the Cannon House Office Building renewal project […]

Texas Rep. Vicente Gonzalez is part of a dwindling breed — he co-chairs the Blue Dog Coalition of moderate Democrats, which counts just 10 members in the current Congress.  The ideological middle was a different place when he interned at the Capitol in the 1990s, according to Gonzalez. “Back then, there was 50 or 60 […]