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Hill Climbers: Recalling Other Health Battles

Nov. 4, 12 a.m.

As the House nears action on a health care reform bill, earlier legislative battles can be quickly forgotten in the heat of debate. If you are in search of context, veteran Hill staffers can provide it.

Hill Climbers: Scientific Angle

Nov. 2, 12 a.m.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee can make even the most veteran Hill staffers take a second look. It is a group staffed with not only dedicated public servants but also people of discovery and invention — scientists.

Hill Climbers: Surf to Turf

Oct. 28, 12 a.m.

On Capitol Hill, you are probably more likely to spot a high-profile celebrity than someone who has worked on the high seas. But, of course, the Hill is an adventure unto itself, capable of attracting even the occasional seafarer.

Hill Climbers: Texas-Sized Changes

Oct. 26, 12 a.m.

Pity the fool who wasn’t born in Texas. In the case of staffers working for Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), you ought to at least poke fun.

Hill Climbers: Loving the Committees

Oct. 21, 12 a.m.

Reputation can go a long way on the Hill, but so can a Member’s committee assignments. Two staffers in the office of Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) said it was those things — reputation and committee assignments — that attracted them to work for Matsui.

Hill Climbers: The GOP’s New Ground

Oct. 19, 12 a.m.

The Senate Republican Conference was a place of leadership shuffles this summer with the resignation of Sen. John Ensign (Nev.) as Policy Committee chairman. Several months out from the promotion of Sen. John Thune (S.D.) to Policy Committee chairman and the election of Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) to vice chairwoman, a relative sense of youth hasn’t been the only game-changer in the Conference.

Hill Climbers: On Wisconsin

Oct. 14, 12 a.m.

Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) is one of a handful of physicians in Congress. Although legislating on Capitol Hill is a far cry from practicing medicine, for Kagen, being a U.S. Representative at least has not meant leaving his home state behind.

Hill Climbers: The Outdoors Life

Oct. 7, 12 a.m.

Getting along with your boss never hurts. But for aspiring Hill staffers, sharing a common interest can be that final push in landing in a desired office.

Hill Climbers: Summer in the City

Oct. 5, 12 a.m.

This summer might go down as a time the nation collectively lost its cool. Often overlooked in the midst of those raucous health care debates is daily life in Members’ offices, where composure is essential.

Hill Climbers: Working for a Tax Lawyer

Sept. 30, 12 a.m.

The thought of working for a tax lawyer might not be the most exciting thing, but when it comes to Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), you might want to make a reassessment. A former accountant and tax lawyer, Sherman is widely regarded for his unique sense of humor. As evidence, look no further than the people Sherman attracts to work for him.

Hill Climbers: Making Up for Lost Time

Sept. 23, 12 a.m.

If Michael Ricci had pursued his first career choice out of college, you probably would not see him on the Hill today.

Hill Climbers: On Deck

Sept. 21, 12 a.m.

It’s not every day that you run across someone on Capitol Hill with a background in sports broadcasting. But Paul Kincaid brings just that — and a whole lot more.

Hill Climbers: Offering Counsel

Sept. 16, 12 a.m.

If you spend enough time in Washington, you will begin to realize just how diverse the city truly is. People might be drawn to the District for a similar reason — the opportunity to make a difference — but digging deeper shows richness in the experiences that people bring with them.

Hill Climbers: Not the Bodyguard

Sept. 14, 12 a.m.

Brandon Naylor, 26, was just promoted to be Rep. Dennis Moore’s (D-Kan.) communications director. Naylor’s towering 6 feet, 6 inch height often leads to a different conclusion: that he is Moore’s personal security detail.

Hill Climbers: What Recess?

Sept. 9, 12 a.m.

If recess was once the ideal time to ease into a new job in Washington, that idea is long gone today. With lawmakers scurrying across their districts and with big legislative initiatives looming, the perpetual grind of Washington did not abate in August. Not only did lawmakers gain little rest, but Congressional staffers were afforded little reprieve.

Hill Climbers: No Dog Days Here

Aug. 5, 12 a.m.

It is a busy time to be a Blue Dog Democrat. While the 52-member coalition continues to receive a lot of attention on health care, their staffs’ equally frantic work pace often goes unnoticed.

Hill Climbers: Speaking Up

Aug. 3, 12 a.m.

Nathaniel Sillin likes to talk. Rolling off sentence after sentence, he also sounds good at it. You might even think he should get paid to talk. And in fact, he is, in part, paid to do just that. In July, Sillin was hired as the communications director for Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.).

Hill Climbers: First State Connections

July 29, 12 a.m.

Delaware might be one of the smallest states in the nation, but its size can only serve as an advantage for those seeking a job on the Hill. To see how connections to the First State can pay off, look no further than the recent hires in Sen. Tom Carper’s (D-Del.) office.

Hill Climbers: Kansas Born and Bred

July 22, 12 a.m.

Congressional hires and promotions often require staffers to engage in a crash course about their Member’s home state. Fortunately for Rep. Dennis Moore’s (D-Kan.) office, this was not the case with recent staff changes. In May, Moore made two changes to his staff with lifelong Kansans.

Hill Climbers: Two New Tellers

July 20, 12 a.m.

These days, it goes without saying that the nation’s financial situation is less than ideal. Luckily for Democrats, two new staffers on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee bring years of experience to help tackle the country’s financial crisis.

Hill Climbers: Hitting the Bike Trails

July 15, 12 a.m.

It’s not every day that someone gets to exercise with the leader of the free world, let alone on a regular basis. But this is exactly part of the experience that Barrett Karr brings to her new job as minority staff director for the House Education and Labor Committee.

Hill Climbers: New Media Man

July 13, 12 a.m.

When commentators talk about the term “new media,” specifics are not always easy to come by. Typically, social networking sites, video sharing and blogging are all highlighted for revolutionizing the way we communicate. For Matt Lira, who works in the office of House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.), a media change is nowhere more prominent than in politics.

Hill Climbers: Big Sky Country

July 8, 12 a.m.

Montana has all that open space, stunning national parks and, of course, that big blue sky. So what could possibly make a person trade that setting for Washington, D.C., with its bustling pace and infamously unpleasant weather?

Hill Climbers: Triumphant Return

July 6, 12 a.m.

If politics is a calling, then those who heed the call tend to follow a typical progression from college internships and campaign work to Hill staffer. But Washington, D.C., is not always that simple. Instead, Capitol Hill stands out as a place where individuals are drawn to leave successful careers in the hope of, all clichés aside, making a difference.

Hill Climbers: Ginny-ing Up New Staffers

June 29, 12 a.m.

Cassie Smedile got the short end of the stick.