Congressional Hits and Misses: Week of Jan. 19 (Video)

Members spent a short week in Congress learning about drones, women’s health and the difference between one trillion and one thousand billion.

• The Art of John Boehner Clapping (Video)

Renee Ellmers May Face Primary Challenge

Rep. Renee Ellmers, the North Carolina Republican who led the charge to pull the House GOP’s 20-week abortion ban bill this week, could have a bruising primary from the conservative wing of her party in 2016.

Harry Reid 'Intending to Run,' Expects Swift Recovery (Video)

The venue was different, and his face was bruised and bandaged, but Harry Reid was still Harry Reid.

House, Senate Republicans Meet in Secret to Discuss Border Security Bill

Two days after Sen. Jeff Sessions bashed a House border security bill, Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul crossed the Dome Thursday to clear the air and try to secure the support of one of Congress’ most ardent immigration critics.

• What the House GOP's Abortion Bill About-Face Really Means

Democrats Could Face Primary Mess in Illinois Senate Race

Democrats are driving toward a primary collision course in Illinois, where the party could endure a multimillion-dollar slugfest in a race essential to capturing Senate control in 2016.

• Exclusive: NRSC Announces 3 Vice Chairmen

Lawmakers Define Oversight Role in L'Enfant Metro Incident

Members of Congress are looking to flex their oversight muscles, after summoning national and local transportation officials to Capitol Hill on Wednesday evening to brief them on the recent deadly incident at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station.

DCCC Chairman Says Majority Is ‘Definitely Going to Be in Play.’ Really?

In the wake of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Ben Ray Luján declared the House majority would be up for grabs in 2016.

• Democrats to Complete Survey to Help Leadership With Messaging

Senator on '#DeflateGate': Send Colts to Super Bowl

Sen. Dan Coats tweeted Thursday that the Indiana Colts, not the New England Patriots, should play in the Super Bowl, as the National Football League controversy surrounding the use of under-inflated game balls in Sunday’s AFC Championship continued to unfold.

• Nevada Senators Blast NFL Over Under-Inflated Footballs

Ethics Complaint Filed Against Gohmert Over Spending Campaign Cash on Travel

The most quotable member of Congress may have violated House ethics rules by using campaign cash to cover travel expenses for speaking engagements in England, a liberal watchdog group alleged Thursday.

Billionaire Passes on California Senate Race

Hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, the billionaire Democrat who has spent considerable cash on environmental causes and candidates, will not run for Senate in California, he announced Thursday.

Wendell Ford, Longtime Kentucky Senator, Dies at 90

Kentucky political legend and purveyor of Southern wit Wendell H. Ford has died.

Pelosi Accuses Boehner of 'Hubris'

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi dinged Speaker John A. Boehner Thursday for not consulting with Democrats or the White House on the decision to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress.

#SOTU Pumps Up Democrats, Post-'Shellacking II'

“Barack Obama’s Back.” That was the three-word verdict from Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., after Tuesday’s State of the Union address.

• Capitol Police Ordered Not to Arrest Driver in SOTU Car Chase

Clyburn Offers Personal Perspective on the Relevance, Power of 'Selma'

“Selma” may have been snubbed by the Oscars, but Rep. James E. Clyburn gave the civil-rights movie a very personal endorsement Wednesday during a Democratic Party news conference on voting rights.

McConnell's Sergeant-at-Arms Team's Time Together Goes Way Back (Audio)

The two men at the helm of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms office first crossed paths nearly two decades ago as staffers on the chamber’s Appropriations Committee.

Paid Maternity, Paternity Leave Coming for Congressional Staff?

Paid maternity and paternity leave could be coming soon for most federal employees.

Congress, Obama Each Say 'You First' on War Authorization

On the topic of authorizing the use of military force against the Islamic State, the state of play between Congress and President Barack Obama is reminiscent of some famous cartoon humor from a century ago.

Grassley Preps 2016 Re-Election

Sen. Charles E. Grassley doesn’t plan to be caught flat-footed if he faces a competitive, expensive re-election battle in 2016.

Protesters Stage a 'Die In' in Longworth Cafeteria

Roughly 20 to 30 protesters staged a “die in” in the Longworth House Office Building cafeteria Wednesday afternoon to bring attention to police militarization and racial profiling.

Norton: Union Bill Is 'First Attack' on D.C. Autonomy in 114th Congress

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., said Tuesday that Republicans have launched their “first attack” on District of Columbia autonomy in the 114th Congress in a bill that would make violence from labor union organizing a federal crime.

Texans Rally to Give Charlie Wilson His Due

Reps. Gene Green, D-Texas, and Michael McCaul, R-Texas, Wednesday were expected to kick-start the process to nominate fellow Lone Star Stater Rep. Charlie Wilson for a Congressional Gold Medal.

Why Hillary Clinton Should Fear Elizabeth Warren

If Hillary Rodham Clinton does not run for president in 2016, I’d certainly put my money on Sen. Elizabeth Warren for the Democratic nomination. And I think Warren might be able to give Clinton a run for her money if the freshman senator would challenge the former secretary of State.

The Real Big Speech? The Pope Might Visit Congress

Hours before he took the podium, whatever President Barack Obama said Tuesday night was getting eclipsed on the Hill by all the excited chatter about the next person likely to speak before a joint meeting of Congress.

Late Congressman's Wife on Quest for Missing Cash, Memorabilia

SEMINOLE, Fla. — What happens when a member of Congress dies in office? There is no standard set procedure and the internecine melee that followed the death of Rep. C.W. Bill Young, perhaps best illustrated by the exhaustive search for a handful of pictures and one Pentagon-approved memento, has ruined decades-old friendships and frayed family bonds seemingly beyond repair.

• The Bill Young Saga: Items the Family Has Yet to Recoup
• The Bill Young Saga: Harry Glenn’s Timeline

The Two-Second Shot

Photographer Tom Williams explains how he captured one of the week's funniest moments on the Hill.

Best Fly-In Ever: How to Make the Most of Your D.C. Visit

Washington would be a less exciting place without its out-of-town visitors. And “fly-ins” — when interest groups bring their members to town to lobby legislators and agency officials — do more than just keep the hotels full and the Metro lines long. They can draw attention to an issue, rally stakeholders and even move the dial on legislative priorities.

Former Staffer, Cancer Advocate Chip Kennett Dies at 34

Bayard Winslow “Chip” Kennett II, a former Capitol Hill staffer whose personal battle with lung cancer helped push Congress to take action, died Saturday. He was 34.

• Chip Kennett: A Silent Patriot Under the Dome | Commentary
• Capitol Hill Helps One of Its Own: Chip Kennett Finds Support in Unexpected Places

Former Congressman Will Lead Baylor University's Efforts on Capitol Hill

After nearly 35 years representing Northern Virginia in Congress, former Republican Rep. Frank R. Wolf plans to lead Baylor University’s efforts on Capitol Hill.