Word on the Hill: ‘From Home to the Dome’
Hispanic Heritage Month and 25 years as a Senate staffer
Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, is turning 83 on Saturday and he celebrated in his favorite way: by running six miles.
The senator traditionally runs from his townhouse in Arlington, Va., to the Capitol on his birthday, The Des Moines Register reported in 2014. On Thursday morning, he posted a photo on Instagram of his running watch showing that he ran 6.23 miles in an hour and 31 minutes. That’s a little bit under 15 minutes a mile. At almost 83 years old.
The Senate Judiciary Committee also chimed in about Grassley’s birthday during a hearing on Thursday. Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., said the Iowa Republican and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., open up the Senate gym in the mornings and usually have the place to themselves for an hour — but not on Grassley’s birthday.
GOP kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month
In the House Republican’s latest Snapshots video, Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., shares his personal story in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. His father is from Havana, Cuba, and Curbelo says in the video, “It was a flawed country but most of them wanted Cuba to remain their home, but they had to leave.”
Celebrating 25 years
Senate Democrats’ floor assistant, Tim Mitchell, celebrated his 25th anniversary as a Senate staffer on Thursday. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Minority Whip Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., were on the floor offering tributes.
Photo of the week
Pre-work jam sesh
Congress’ in-house musician Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., tweeted a photo of himself and Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., playing guitars together in a Capitol office building on Thursday morning. He wrote that it was an ‘impromptu jam session.’
When you start your morning with an impromptu jam session with @keithellison you know it’s gonna be a good day pic.twitter.com/hOcQTLX4Fn
— Rep. Joe Crowley (@repjoecrowley) September 15, 2016
Also on Twitter…
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., gave rapper Jay Z a shout out.
Jay Z is right: We have to end the war on drugs. https://t.co/cWPQw8X7aN
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) September 15, 2016
Happy Birthday to…
Rep. Ralph Abraham, R-La., 62.
Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, 42.
On Saturday: Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, 83.
What’s going on?
Have any tips, announcements or Hill happenings? Send them to AlexGangitano@cqrollcall.com.