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Long Way From Humble

February 11, 2009

Growing up in small Humble, Texas, Jacques Purvis felt like an outsider who could find a sense of himself only through playing sports. Today, he’s a Senate floor assistant in the one of the least diverse places in Washington, and still in some ways an outsider who is seeking a way to fit in. Purvis, 26, is one of two African-Americans working on the Senate floor.

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Strawn to the Rescue of Iowa GOP

February 10, 2009

Every Capitol Hill staffer knows the road to the White House begins in Iowa.
But for newly elected Iowa Republican Party Chairman Matthew Strawn, a career path that began on Capitol Hill has ended back in the Hawkeye State.

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New Kid, Old Hand

February 9, 2009

As a Member of the freshman class, Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is one of the new kids on the block, though perhaps in name only.
The junior Senator from New Hampshire walks through the halls of Congress with the confidence of a pro, despite having been on the Hill for a little more than a month.

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From Senator to Senate Staffer

February 9, 2009

Four months ago, Louisiana Democrat Don Cravins Jr. was seeking an office of his own on Capitol Hill. Now he’s running one in the Russell Senate Office Building on behalf of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.).

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Hungarian Rhapsodies

February 5, 2009

Pre-eminent composer György Kurtág, 82, has come to the United States for the first time this week to perform the world premiere of his “Hommage à Bartók for Two and Four Hands” at the Library of Congress’ Coolidge Auditorium. The concert will be held 8 p.m. Saturday.

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Former Oregon Rep. Wendell Wyatt Dies at 91

February 5, 2009

Former Congressman Wendell Wyatt (R-Ore.) died Jan. 28 in Portland at the age of 91.

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Office Space: Corker of an Art Display

February 4, 2009

For visitors standing in the reception area of Sen. Bob Corker’s (R-Tenn.) Dirksen office, it is not unusual to hear laughter spilling out of the back rooms. While the workers in this Senate office tackle issues such as the war in Iraq and the financial crisis on a daily basis, the staff of 26 still makes time to have fun.

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McConnell Embraces Spotlight

February 4, 2009

Shy no longer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) has emerged in recent weeks as one of the GOP’s most vocal and unexpected messengers.
xSince January, the typically soft-spoken and press-averse McConnell has appeared on national radio and television programs 10 times — all but two of which have come in the past 10 days — including appearances on ABC’s “This Week,” NBC’s “Meet the Press,” CNN’s “American Morning” and NBC’s “Today Show.”

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‘Army’s Angel’ Margaret Toye Tyler Dies at 87

February 4, 2009

Margaret Toye Tyler, commonly referred to as “Army’s Angel,” passed away Sunday at the age of 87.

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Sharing a Liver, Saving a Life

February 3, 2009

Fifteen years separate Special Agents Noel Gleason and Shannon Croom, but not much else.
Both have an acute sense of humor — Gleason’s lighthearted and friendly, Croom’s unexpected and dry. Neither can stay still; neither enjoys a desk job. Both love the unexpected moments that come from escorting Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) around the city and the country.
And as of July 31, they share the same liver.

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GOP’s Northern Star on the Rise

February 2, 2009

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski may be a rising Republican powerhouse — and she hasn’t even finished her first full term.
Just in the past month, Murkowski was named counsel to the Minority Leader, given a coveted spot on the Appropriations Committee and elevated to the ranking member slot on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

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King Plots Next Move

January 29, 2009

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) was spoiling for a fight. His family wanted him to do it. He gleefully anticipated a wild ride, international media attention, an Irish blood feud — and a chance to win.
If Caroline Kennedy had been appointed to the Senate, he says, “I would have filed to run a day later.”

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A New Counsel at DNC

January 29, 2009

The Democratic National Committee has hired President Barack Obama’s top campaign lawyer, Bob Bauer, as its new outside counsel, a DNC official confirmed Wednesday. The move is the latest example of the fresh political roots that the Obama White House is planting around town.

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Vitter Stages a Comeback

January 28, 2009

In July 2007, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), a family values conservative, found himself at the center of the “D.C. Madam” prostitution scandal and fighting for his political career.
But instead of joining the ranks of lawmakers driven from office by their own transgressions, Vitter mounted a quiet counteroffensive. He lowered his head and spent the past year and a half working to regain his reputation as a leading conservative voice and to position himself to run for re-election in 2010.

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Jeffrey Plots Political Return Against Inglis

January 27, 2009

She’s back. Longtime political science scholar, one-time Georgia Congressional candidate and short-time House Historian Christina Jeffrey returned to Capitol Hill on Friday morning to announce that she’s planning a political comeback.

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Rep. Harry Teague Relishes the Limelight

January 21, 2009

Newly elected Rep. Harry Teague (D-N.M.) was so excited for the inauguration of President Barack Obama and the start of his own Congressional career that he could barely put his feelings into words.

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Durbin’s Rough Road

January 20, 2009

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) should have been spending the past few months reveling in the Democrats’ new Congressional majorities and the knowledge that the man he pushed to get into the presidential race would take over the White House. Instead, an intense family tragedy and a home-state political fiasco ended up clouding what should have been Durbin’s victory lap.

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JFK’s Top Aide Looks Back to ’61

January 20, 2009

It’s been 48 years, but the similarities between John F. Kennedy’s election, transition and inauguration and Barack Obama’s are striking: a new president in his 40s, a product of Congress, eloquent and elegant, and taking office in a world of trouble.

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Wilson Staffer Seeks Recount in Va.

January 20, 2009

After winning a Virginia primary with only 20 votes, Republican Joe Murray lost the general election by 16 votes last Tuesday and is asking for a recount.

• He Called His Friends to Win the Primary

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Biden’s Alter Ego to Succeed Him in Senate

January 15, 2009

Meet Sen.-elect Ted Kaufman (D-Del.), Joseph Biden’s alter ego, who is set to be sworn in on Friday as the incoming vice president’s Senate successor.
Kaufman spent 19 years as chief of staff to Biden, the First State’s senior Senator who officially resigns his seat today after 36 years.

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Walther Takes On Washington

January 14, 2009

The Federal Election Commission today will begin two days of hearings designed to catalog criticisms of the much-maligned agency. The marathon bloodletting also will be a coming-out party for Steven Walther, the agency’s new chairman — and, heretofore, its George Harrison.

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Treatise Could Illuminate Obama’s View of FEC

January 14, 2009

President-elect Barack Obama has tapped campaign finance lawyer Bob Lenhard and law professor Mark Alexander to review the policies and procedures of the Federal Election Commission, both men confirmed on Tuesday.

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This Lobbyist Is Taking The Capital by Design

January 14, 2009

Washington, D.C., often gets a bad rap when it comes to fashion. Recently, Michelle Obama — who was being called a style maven long before setting foot in D.C. — has been doing her part to change this misconception. So has local designer and lobbyist Rochelle Behrens.

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Legislating the Legacy of a Lion

January 13, 2009

In an ironic twist of political fate, the precarious state of Sen. Edward Kennedy’s (D-Mass.) health has transformed President-elect Barack Obama’s plan to reform national health care into a legacy project capping a nearly 50-year Senate career.

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Eyes on Menendez and K Street

January 12, 2009

As Sen. Bob Menendez officially steps into his role as the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman, expectations are high among Democratic lobbyists that the New Jersey lawmaker will not only meet his fundraising targets but also turn the tide of Republican dominance on K Street.

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Now Airing: Everyone Loves Tom

January 12, 2009

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), once pilloried by the Republicans as public enemy No. 1, has returned to star in one of Washington’s fabled second acts — as the darling of President-elect Barack Obama’s Cabinet.

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Shop Steward at LOC Eatery Fired After 27-Year Career

January 12, 2009

A month ago, Willie Price began her week by preparing for the Library of Congress’ annual holiday party for retired employees.

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Time Will Tell: Is Price Right?

January 8, 2009

While some of his GOP colleagues may be looking to moderate their image in a world colored by Obama-tinted lenses, Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price (Ga.) says he’s readying to fight the liberal onslaught and that conservatism is not dead.

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97-Year-Old Doyenne Still Leads Hill Staffers

January 8, 2009

With her Southern drawl and sassy demeanor, Frances Still is a lady to be noticed. The 97-year-old veteran House staffer loves an afternoon out with the girls and a healthy pour of chardonnay.

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Reid Comes Out Fighting

January 7, 2009

As he begins to feel the full power of his nearly filibuster-proof Democratic majority, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) made clear Tuesday he plans to forcefully press his party’s prerogatives in the 111th Congress and will not allow an Obama White House to dictate the chamber’s agenda.

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Rocky Mountain High-Minded Pick

January 6, 2009

Since being appointed over several more seasoned Democratic politicians to replace Interior Secretary nominee Ken Salazar in the Senate, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet has begun putting a political team together for his first bid at elected office.

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Corker Pops Into Spotlight

December 15, 2008

When most Senate Republicans refused to go anywhere near negotiations on an auto industry bailout, freshman Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) jumped into the fray and positioned himself as a dealmaker on the most pressing economic issue facing Congress.

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Schumer Ready for New Role

December 15, 2008

Sen. Charles Schumer’s (N.Y.) position as Democratic Conference vice chairman brings with it no funding, staff or designated authority. But having relinquished control of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Schumer is set to see an increase in power through this leadership vehicle.