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Guide to Congress

September 10, 2007

After Upheavals, Leaders Look Safe — for Now

Following a three-year period during which nearly every Congressional leadership position changed hands at least once, the top party leaders in both chambers now appear — barring any dramatic events or massive electoral surprises — relatively secure in their jobs with little turmoil likely on the horizon.

Class of ’94 Set Standard for Freshman Influence

When newly elected lawmakers first head for Washington, D.C., they’re ready to take Congress by storm. But reality quickly settles in; after all, who is less powerful than a freshman? But for the Democratic freshmen of the 110th Congress, their large voting bloc and reform agenda has put them in positions of unusual visibility and power, emboldening them to break with leadership on key votes and at times try to muscle Congress to bend to their will.

With Panel Chairmen, Pelosi Picks Her Battles

After 12 years without the party holding a single gavel, House Democratic leaders have mostly succeeded in avoiding messy public battles with committee chairmen in their new majority, often giving them wide discretion to manage their bills although sometimes grabbing the legislative reins when it comes to high profile issues.

Rewards Are Sweet for Democratic Lobbyists

Ten months ago, Democrats swept into power on promises of breaking the link between lawmakers and lobbyists. But in July, just as Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill were hammering out the final details of a sweeping lobbying reform package, Democratic operatives downtown were breaking out their green eyeshades to total up half-year profits not seen in more than a decade.

Revolutionaries of ’94 Found a Home on K St.

If you’re wondering whatever happened to the Republican revolution of 1994, it seems it has shuffled over to K Street.

Pelosi, Gingrich Share Administrative Theories

Nine months into her new role as Speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has shown that when it comes to the operation and administration of the House of Representatives, she and former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) have more in common than she’d probably feel comfortable admitting.

’96 Campaign Chairmen Recall Shifting Terrain

If Republicans in 2007 are feeling anything like Democrats did in 1995 following the GOP takeover of Congress, it’s anything but good.

Members Allergic to the Spotlight Find a Home

What a difference four years has made.
In 2003, the last time Roll Call published the Obscure Caucus, Republicans controlled Congress, President Bush’s approval ratings were soaring, and multiple Congressional sex scandals seemed so 1980s.

International Flavors Help Redefine D.C. Food

Much about the Washington power lunch has remained unchanged over the past few decades. The suits, the small talk, the hefty tab whisked away and filed on an expense form of today could just as easily be vintage 1994 — with a few changes to the cut of the suits, the football scores or the number of zeros on the bill. Today’s deals, though, might just as often be brokered over sushi as steak. And chances are, you know which tiny farm in Pennsylvania your cheese came from, and you’re as likely to be hailing a cab afterward on Seventh Street as you are K Street.

The Roll Call Fabulous Fifty

The movers and shakers behind the scenes on Capitol Hill

Technology Redefines Constituent Outreach

When former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) rose to power after the 1994 elections, the House had not yet fully grasped just how to use an emerging technology known as the Internet.

In the Newest Congress, the Rich Get Richer

Some things change and some things stay the same, especially when it comes to rich Members of Congress.
In the dozen years since former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) stormed the Capitol and led Republicans into the majority, more than one-quarter of the Senators and House Members on Roll Call’s “Contract With America”-era list of the 50 richest lawmakers continue to be among the 50 wealthiest today.