DC BUREAU

Our Washington, D.C., bureau reports on congressional delegations and key Supreme Court and administrative decisions that affect our state.

STAFF

Jane Norman

DC Bureau Chief

Jane directs national coverage, managing staff and freelance reporters in the nation’s capital and assigning and editing state-specific daily and enterprise stories.

Jacob Fischler

DC Bureau Senior Reporter

Jacob covers federal policy as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Based in Oregon, he focuses on Western issues. His coverage areas include climate, energy development, public lands and infrastructure.

Ashley Murray

DC Bureau Senior Reporter

Ashley Murray covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include domestic policy and appropriations.

Jennifer Shutt

DC Bureau Senior Reporter

Jennifer covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include congressional policy, politics and legal challenges with a focus on health care, unemployment, housing and aid to families.

Ariana Figueroa

DC Bureau Reporter

Ariana covers the nation's capital for States Newsroom. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections and campaign finance.

STORIES

Congress is haggling over border security: Where does it stand?

BY: - December 2, 2023

As Congress negotiates the White House’s $106 billion supplemental aid request for Israel, Ukraine and U.S. border security, fights over immigration policy have tied up the request.

New York Republican George Santos expelled by U.S. House in bipartisan vote

BY: - December 1, 2023

Several Republicans said the lies Santos allegedly told to fundraise and get elected, as well as misuse of campaign funds, merit expulsion.

U.S. House votes to bar use of public lands for housing migrants

BY: - December 1, 2023

Rep. Rob Menendez said that Republicans were vilifying families seeking refuge, calling the bill an attempt to “score cheap political points.”

GOP senators walk out of vote on subpoenas in U.S. Supreme Court ethics inquiry

BY: - November 30, 2023

The hearing came after a year of revelations about Supreme Court justices’ failure to disclose luxury travel and real estate deals.

Democrats split on placing conditions on military aid to Israel

BY: - November 30, 2023

The White House has asked Congress to approve more than $105 billion in funding to assist Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.

Schumer on U.S. Senate floor condemns ‘rank antisemitism’ amid Israel-Hamas war

BY: - November 29, 2023

Sen. Chuck Schumer said his comments weren’t meant to rebuke protesters for speaking out on behalf of civilians who have been under siege in Gaza or those who have legitimate criticisms about the Israeli government.

Gun violence as a public health crisis explored by U.S. Senate Democrats

BY: - November 29, 2023

Senate Democrats hope to build upon last year’s federal gun safety legislation, over opposition from Republicans who pushed back against framing gun violence as a public health crisis.

Israel and Hamas agree to temporary cease-fire, hostage release deal

BY: - November 22, 2023

President Joe Biden praised the agreement to release 50 of the approximately 240 hostages taken by Hamas during the militant group’s deadly attack on Israel.

Trump immigration policies set the tone for most of the GOP presidential field

BY: - November 22, 2023

What were once considered far-right policies are now common talking points among the GOP candidates, including support for building a wall along the southern border.

Biden signs stopgap spending bill, avoiding government shutdown

BY: - November 17, 2023

President Biden has signed the stopgap spending bill, which means federal leaders have two months to agree on a dozen annual spending bills. 

Democrats urge feds to update banking ‘red flags’ on legal marijuana businesses

BY: - November 16, 2023

The federal government unfairly penalizes legal marijuana businesses whose owners have marijuana-related convictions, Democrats say.

Attempt to kill Biden student debt relief plan tied to income fails in U.S. Senate

BY: - November 16, 2023

U.S. Senate Republicans failed to block a new Biden administration rule on an income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans.