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Heard on the Hill: Burris, Holding Court Even Without a Vote

Jan. 8, 12 a.m.

What’s a guy from Chicago to do while he hangs out waiting to find out whether he’ll get a Senate seat? Hang out at the Monocle, of course. Hey, if he can’t vote like a Senator, at least he can eat like one.

Heard on the Hill: Vitter Dissed

Jan. 7, 12 a.m.

If the first day of a Congressional session really is like the first day of high school, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) was totally exiled to the cafeteria losers’ table.

Heard on the Hill: ‘Dr. No’ Says ‘Yes’ to Call for Help

Jan. 6, 12 a.m.

Is there a doctor on board? Good thing for an airline passenger who fell ill during a flight from Dallas to Washington, D.C., on Sunday night, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) is always on call.

Heard on the Hill: Lack of Bread Gets a Rise

Dec. 15, 12 a.m.

Rep. Norm Dicks is a man of simple tastes. And when those tastes aren’t satisfied, the Washington Democrat apparently lets everybody know about it.

Heard on the Hill: Kennedy’s Party Hits Pause

Dec. 11, 12 a.m.

There hasn’t been much in the way of snow yet this season, but one beloved Capitol Hill holiday tradition is officially on ice.

Heard on the Hill: Putting the ‘F’ in Illinois

Dec. 10, 12 a.m.

Is there something in the water in Illinois? The drinking water might be clean, but those Prairie Staters sure know how to talk dirty.

Heard on the Hill: No Holder-ing Back

Dec. 9, 12 a.m.

Can you say “exhaustive?” The vetting process for Cabinet officers is veering into TMI-land (that’s shorthand for “too much information,” oldsters), according to a source knowledgeable about the confirmation process for Eric Holder, President-elect Barack Obama’s pick to be attorney general.

Heard on the Hill: Dumpster-Diving With Broke Staffers

Dec. 8, 12 a.m.

Need some new file folders? How about an old picture of the Capitol? Or perhaps you’re in the market for a roll of toilet paper?

Heard on the Hill: That’s Mr. Obama to You

Dec. 1, 12 a.m.

Everyone knows that Barack Obama is the president-elect. Just look at any newspaper (including Roll Call) or flip on the TV to hear the soon-to-be-prez referred to that way.

Heard on the Hill: Hair Club for the Vanquished

Nov. 21, 12 a.m.

Welcome to the club, Sen. John Sununu. The New Hampshire Republican briefly joined a group of political losers who have marked their own defeats by growing beards — the ultimate sign of rebellion against the clean-shaven culture of high-profile campaigns.

Heard on the Hill: Huck and Chuck’s Excellent Adventure to the Holy Land

Nov. 20, 12 a.m.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will visit 56 cities in the next two and a half weeks to promote his latest book, “Do the Right Thing,” but there’s another big trip that he’s looking forward to — he’s going to visit Israel (for the 10th time, no less) with pal Chuck Norris.

Heard on the Hill: Sleeping on the Job

Nov. 19, 12 a.m.

While most incoming Members of Congress are checking out lofts and row houses around our fair city, Rep.-elect Jason Chaffetz doesn’t expect to be searching those Craigslist ads anytime soon: The Utah Republican plans to snooze in his office when he’s in town.

Heard on the Hill: Before They Were [Barack] Stars

Nov. 18, 12 a.m.

Old editions of Roll Call are like a yearbook: Dig through the archives long enough, and you’ll find plenty of embarrassing stuff from today’s Washington, D.C., VIPs in their younger, less buttoned-up days (many sporting now-cringe-worthy hairstyles).

Heard on the Hill: The Dating Game, Capitol-Style

Nov. 17, 12 a.m.

Meet the frosh, Washington. And since their policy positions and political maneuvering have already been well-covered, HOH is concerned only with what the people eagerly awaiting this influx of new blood really want to know: Which of them are single?

Heard on the Hill: Yes, He Did

Nov. 10, 12 a.m.

Forget “a little off the top.” The newest look for patrons of the House barbershop is a little bolder — and a lot more Barack-y.

Heard on the Hill: And the Band Might Not Play On

Nov. 6, 12 a.m.

Don’t blame it on drugs or Yoko Ono — it was the vagaries of electoral politics that doomed Congress’ favorite rock outfit.

Heard on the Hill: Luck Be a Lady Tonight

Nov. 4, 12 a.m.

By Election Day, the die is pretty much cast: The fundraising and debating are done, the ads already aired and most voters’ minds made up. Still, there’s that little element of chance at play.

Heard on the Hill: He Could ... Go ... All ... The ... Way

Oct. 30, 12 a.m.

They’ve appeared on all the cable networks, they’ve been grilled on the Sunday morning talk shows and they’ve laughed it up on the late-night gabfests. But in the last hours of the presidential election, Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) will have just one final television campaign stop to make: Monday Night Football.

Heard on the Hill: Meghan’s Emancipation Accessorization

Oct. 28, 12 a.m.

Meghan McCain’s role in her father’s campaign has been to try to imbue a bit of youthfulness and edge into the McCain brand, what with all the 24-year-old’s blogging, Twittering and dropping of pop-culture references.

Heard on the Hill: Lee Doesn’t Want to Be Ayered

Oct. 23, 12 a.m.

If a book debuts and its author doesn’t do any media appearances, does it make a sound? Rep. Barbara Lee, the California Democrat whose autobiography features salacious tales of a clandestine abortion, an LSD trip and domestic violence, is apparently avoiding doing any book signings or interviews until after the presidential election, for fear of giving Republicans ammunition to use in attacking Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), whom Lee endorsed, HOH hears.

Heard on the Hill: Days of Wine and Scandals

Oct. 21, 12 a.m.

It’s not the Mayflower Hotel yet, but the Capitol Hill wine bar Sonoma can now be inducted into an exclusive club — it’s the setting for a scene that’s figuring into a good old Washington sex scandal.

Heard on the Hill: Chuck on GG? OMG

Oct. 16, 12 a.m.

Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.) is all over the political TV shows these days, sharing his thoughts on the financial crisis, touting his party’s chances of picking up seats and pushing to elect Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) president.

Heard on the Hill: Anything but Palin

Oct. 14, 12 a.m.

It’s time to plan those Halloween costumes, kids, so you don’t wind up scavenging the picked-over aisle in the drugstore on the day of. Note: Witches are not clever. And that sexy maid getup might be a tad inappropriate for the neighborhood shindig.

Heard on the Hill: This Campaign Supporter Doesn’t Sleep. He Waits.

Oct. 9, 12 a.m.

Rep. Don Young on Monday landed the dubious distinction of being named by Roll Call as the most vulnerable Member of Congress in the upcoming elections — not exactly the sort of honor one wants before a big battle at the ballot box.

Heard on the Hill: If Biden Had a Hammer

Oct. 7, 12 a.m.

In the vice presidential debate last week, Sen. Joseph Biden tried to show his membership card for the “Joe Six-Pack” club by boasting of spending “a lot of time” in his local Home Depot.

Heard on the Hill: Gin, Golf and a Bailout, Too

Oct. 3, 12 a.m.

The Senate has been in 24/7 nose-to-grindstone mode — particularly for those Senators and staffers trying to pull off passage of the Wall Street bailout bill. But it’s not all work and no play, as some Senators clearly tried to sneak in some fun amid all the pressures of meetings, briefings and cable news appearances.

Heard on the Hill: Brigadoon Inc.

Oct. 2, 12 a.m.

With all the talk of the Wall Street bailout (or is it rescue?) bill, nosy reporters have been taking another look at Members’ financial disclosure forms to see just what investments Congress-folk hold.

Heard on the Hill: Warner’s Roving Eye

Oct. 1, 12 a.m.

Sen. John Warner, you old dog you! The Virginia Republican — who was once married to film star Elizabeth Taylor — is quite the connoisseur of the fairer sex, and on Tuesday he confessed to letting his “wandering eye” roam the scenic Senate.

Heard on the Hill: It’s Frank’s World; We Just Live In It

Sept. 29, 12 a.m.

In case there was any doubt who was running the show over the past week, or how confused even most Members were about what was happening with the Wall Street bailout, a few lawmakers confirmed it for us.

Heard on the Hill: Finger-Pointing

Sept. 26, 12 a.m.

Who’s responsible for that pesky housing-market meltdown that triggered the Wall Street crisis?

Heard on the Hill: Real-World Lobbying

Sept. 25, 12 a.m.

To the great stars of reality TV — think catfighting roomies, weeping bachelorettes and scheming would-be survivors — add lobbyists. The Lifetime TV show now filming in Washington, “Blonde Charity Mafia,” features some scenes shot in the office of Georgetown lobby shop Pyle & Associates, HOH has learned.

Heard on the Hill: Grassley’s Reefer Madness

Sept. 24, 12 a.m.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, wearer of sweater vests and imbiber of nothing stronger than a nice glass of lemonade, is not, we repeat, not a stoner. But, dude, the Iowa Republican sure sounded like one during a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday in which he went on at length about the artwork on the cover of the trippy Pink Floyd album “Dark Side of the Moon” and then quoted from popular stoner movie “Dude, Where’s My Car?”

Heard on the Hill: Lawsuit with Your Lager?

Sept. 23, 12 a.m.

The name of the local Capitol Hill watering hole Hawk ’n’ Dove is meant to conjure images of peaceful coexistence. Yet the Pennsylvania Avenue purveyor of burgers and beers is inspiring anything but serenity these days, after the bar’s policy banning at least some Marines from entering the establishment has angered military types all over the country.

Heard on the Hill: Alcohol Livens Up the Joint?

Sept. 22, 12 a.m.

Raise a glass to this — it’s been 75 years since prohibition was officially repealed!
In recognition, Members of the House — a bunch not exactly known for being teetotalers — passed legislation last week recognizing state regulators and industry leaders for enacting an effective system of regulating, distributing and selling alcohol.

Heard on the Hill: One Man’s Trash, Another Man’s (Campaign) Treasure

Sept. 18, 12 a.m.

In these times of economic trouble, it can be tough to raise the cash for a Congressional race. Folks just aren’t as keen to shell out thousands of dollars to sip chardonnay at a stuffy fundraiser.

Heard on the Hill: Fish Out of Water

Sept. 17, 12 a.m.

While hot-shot Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps tried to draw laughs on “Saturday Night Live” this week, his swimming teammate Ryan Lochte came to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to attend to far more serious matters.

Heard on the Hill: If You Can’t Say Something Nice ...

Sept. 16, 12 a.m.

Sen. Russ Feingold has often praised colleague Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), with whom he famously crafted the sweeping Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.

Heard on the Hill: And It’s Not Even Spring

Sept. 15, 12 a.m.

That’s not pollen; that’s love in the air as yet another of the House’s eligible guys is taking the plunge.

Heard on the Hill: Pearls Before Swine

Sept. 11, 12 a.m.

Sen. Barack Obama got himself into a whole sty of trouble with his “lipstick on a pig” comment. Republicans instantly saw a porcine conspiracy behind the words and accused the Illinois Democrat of a sexist smear of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the running mate of Obama’s opponent, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Heard on the Hill: He Said What?

Sept. 10, 12 a.m.

Former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee is known for being a friendly, mild-mannered guy.

Heard on the Hill: Waiting for Dave

Sept. 9, 12 a.m.

By the end of the Republican convention in the Twin Cities, even the most die-hard GOPer was ready to go home. But for one planeful of passengers trying to leave the Minneapolis airport Friday, one man stood in their way.

Heard on the Hill: Lights, Camera, Activists

Sept. 8, 12 a.m.

Haven’t had enough of the political conventions? They’ll be coming someday to a theater near you.

Heard on the Hill: Too Sexy for the Twin Cities?

Sept. 4, 12 a.m.

Her novel dishes about the seamy side of the political fundraising world — particularly the one inside the GOP’s money-making machine — so one wouldn’t expect former Republican fundraiser Nicole Sexton, who’s now with the ONE Campaign, to be the GOP’s favorite author.

Heard on the Hill: Huck — Slim and CBS-Bound?

Sept. 3, 12 a.m.

Former Arkansas Gov. and folksy former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee wowed the small crowd gathered by the Obesity Society in St. Paul, Minn., on Tuesday with his personal tales of weight-loss success and his prescription for fixing America’s battle of the bulge.

Heard on the Hill: No Brotherly Love

Sept. 2, 12 a.m.

MSNBC host Chris Matthews might not just be interviewing politicians this convention season — he might also be laying plans to join their ranks. Matthews, who reportedly has designs on the Senate seat now occupied by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), seems to be angling for the new gig, meeting with the Pennsylvania delegation during the Democrats’ convention in Denver, HOH hears.

Heard on the Hill: Stars Out at GOP Confab, but Slightly Dimmer

Sept. 1, 12 a.m.

Plenty of important, powerful political organizations have descended on the Twin Cities for the Republican National Convention this week, but if last week’s Democratic National Convention is any indication, one star-studded group will outshine them all.

Heard on the Hill: Color Me Jersey

Aug. 28, 12 a.m.

State delegations have a long history of vying for the dubious distinction of having the craziest hats on the convention floor, but this year, HOH thinks the New Jersey delegation might be running for another title: best makeup.

Heard on the Hill: While They Were Sleeping

Aug. 27, 12 a.m.

Media critics (i.e., everyone) love to accuse the press of snoozing on the job, of nodding off while news happens under their noses. Although HOH is usually quick to defend her fellow scribes, this week the critics might be right.

Heard on the Hill: Boss-in-Waiting

Aug. 26, 12 a.m.

If the rumors scuttling around Denver that Bruce Springsteen will perform at Invesco Field on Thursday night prove untrue, there could be a backup plan in the works.

Heard on the Hill: Loretta and Linda Lit

Aug. 25, 12 a.m.

Looking for in-flight reading material that falls somewhere on the intellectual-engagement scale between that dense briefing book and Us Weekly? HOH humbly suggests the Sánchez sisters’ new book, “Dream in Color: How the Sánchez Sisters Are Making History in Congress.”