Heard on the Hill

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 […]

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 […]