Stories by Kate Tummarello:
Jan. 17, 2012
The House has postponed its planned vote on the Stop Online Piracy Act, but many leaders in the technology industry feel the fight against what they call online censorship is far from over.
Jan. 13, 2012
If you wondered what your cat would look like in a driver’s license, you can blame Sen. Bob Casey for missing the chance to find out.
Jan. 6, 2012
Congressional staffers control the content on Members’ websites. They control Members’ Facebook and Twitter accounts. They can even manage Internet search results by buying ads and using search engine optimization techniques. But Hill staffers can’t control what people wonder about their bosses.
Jan. 6, 2012
Four years ago, Abe Rakov was on track to graduate from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and become a sports reporter. But the college newspaper’s editor-in-chief decided to add Congressional intern to his résumé, and “everything has just kind of snowballed since then.”
Dec. 19, 2011
David Berkowitz is close to politics in more ways than one. Not only is the guitar builder’s sawdust-covered and parts-strewn studio blocks from the Capitol, but his work is also being affected by his neighbors in Washington, D.C.
Dec. 16, 2011
The new deputy chief of staff for Rep. Mary Bono Mack has been involved in politics since before she was 2 years old.
Dec. 12, 2011
With more and more constituents looking for information about their Members of Congress online, offices and campaigns are spending more time and energy focused on online advertising.
Dec. 9, 2011
Bookbinder Peter James practices the ancient task of marbling paper, which beautifies book edges while helping to preserve the pages.
Dec. 9, 2011
Sen. Frank Lautenberg's new deputy chief of staff attributes her deep interest in politics to her upbringing.
Dec. 7, 2011
Many lawmakers are experienced at sparring over political issues on the House floor. Rep. Karen Bass is experienced at a much more literal kind of combat.
Dec. 2, 2011
Carolyn Shore describes herself as a “curious person.” The new science fellow for Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) attributes her curiosity to her interest in science.
Nov. 30, 2011
Madame Jillotine. The Ohio Hacksaw. CoCo the Killer Clown. These aren’t characters in a horror movie, or even competitors in the increasingly revivified sport of roller derby. These are arm wrestlers in the District’s Collective of Lady Arm Wrestlers.
Nov. 28, 2011
Reflecting on the many Christmas gifts given and received over the years, Members of Congress share the standouts that hold a special place in their hearts.
Nov. 23, 2011
A tornado was all the impetus Angela Zirkelbach needed to move to Washington, D.C. The new staff assistant for the National Republican Senatorial Committee was working in Joplin, Mo., when the city was struck in May by a devastating tornado.
Nov. 18, 2011
When Aaron Welty was an infant, doctors were convinced that the baby with cerebral palsy and breathing problems would not survive or have a high quality of life if he did. Almost three decades later, the legislative assistant for Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) continues to prove them wrong.
Nov. 14, 2011
On the Hill, almost everybody uses BlackBerrys, even though Senate staffers can choose between BlackBerrys and Apple iPhones, and House staffers can choose among BlackBerrys, iPhones and Google’s Android devices.
Nov. 14, 2011
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), whose committee has jurisdiction over the District of Columbia, unveiled draft legislation Monday that would allow D.C. to spend its own money — but not on abortions.
Nov. 11, 2011
For some, a career in the film industry sounds like a dream. For Rep. Mike Honda's new communications director, it was a reality.
Nov. 7, 2011
It’s a rare moment in a city increasingly divided along partisan lines: two Senators from the same state but from different parties respectfully explaining their positions to constituents. And Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk do it once a week.
Nov. 7, 2011
Three other states — Tennessee, Montana and Wyoming — hold their Senate constituent coffees jointly, but these pairings are far more likely to agree with each other.
Nov. 4, 2011
Growing up, John Kerry's new energy and environmental adviser was not the outdoorsy type. Instead of traveling the world to study and work on environmental issues, Clare Sierawski pictured herself traveling the world as an ambassador — until her college adviser persuaded her to consider environmental studies.
Nov. 2, 2011
For Rep. Mike Honda, his family’s story came full circle this week. In 1942, he and his family were taken to an internment camp for Japanese-Americans. Today, he watched as Congress awarded a Gold Medal to Japanese-American veterans of World War II, a group that included his father.
Oct. 28, 2011
Jessica Kahanek was born into a Republican family, but she jokes that the nuns turned her into a Democrat. The new communications director for Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) credits her affiliation to her Catholic education and a campaign fight over children’s health issues.
Oct. 27, 2011
You can now use your smartphone to watch live streaming video from the House of Representatives through HouseLive.gov, a website run by the Office of the Clerk of the House.
Oct. 21, 2011
Capitol Hill can be a rough-and-tumble place, but Laura Sisemore has already skated through a shark tank. The California native worked for the San Jose Sharks hockey team before joining the office of Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) as press secretary.
