Word on the Hill: Staffers Share Resumes

By Alex Gangitano

Posted September 23, 2016 at 5:00am

The House Democrats’ official online resume bank has been relaunched, Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., announced. Staffers can not only submit their resumes but they can also browse new job openings on the announcements board as the transition to the 115th Congress approaches.

First launched in 2012, the site has received 7,000 resume submissions in the years since, and has helped increase diversity in hiring with more than 2,600 queries performed on the demographics data field when House staff browse resumes, according to Hoyer’s press release.

“We hope it will also expand access to employment opportunities, and thereby result in more diversity,” Hoyer said in his statement.

Babies in Paul’s office

Since January, four girls have been born to staff in Sen. Rand Paul’s D.C. office. The Kentucky Republican sat down with the girls the other day for a chat.

Sen. Rand Paul and the new additions. (Courtesy Rand Paul)

Zika in cartoon form

Health advocacy group Trust for America’s Health has a series of pointed political cartoons aimed at getting both Democrats and Republicans in Congress to invest in solutions for Zika. Keep an eye out for this latest ad, which is running later today.

(Cartoon courtesy of Trust for America's Health) — (Cartoon courtesy of Trust for America’s Health)

Vote by zodiac signs?

In case you were wondering: Hillary Clinton is a Scorpio and Donald Trump is a Gemini. The psychic service, Psychic Source, released a reading of the two presidential candidates’ astrology charts. On Monday, “both candidates have their planet Mars (action) in the sign of Leo that night,” which suggests a night of “sizzling tirades and shocks,” astrologer Suzi said. On election night “Hillary Clinton’s moon is in Pisces,” which “points to a major turning point in her career.”

This weekend …

The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s grand opening is on Saturday. In attendance: President Barack Obama, members of Congress and other luminaries. Road closures on 15thSt. NW start at 7 p.m. on Friday until about 10 p.m. on Sunday, according to WTOP.

Where to watch Monday’s debate

On Monday, Clinton and Trump will face off on the national stage. You’re going to want to watch this with fellow political junkies.

Senate staffers: Union Pub and 201 Bar (201 Mass. Ave. NE) are hosting Cloture Club’s Presidential Debate Drinking Game and playing the debate with sound. At Union Pub, pitchers of red and blue beer for $14 and red and blue Jell-O shots for $3. At 201, $12.50 buckets of Budweiser and $5 red and blue cocktails.

House staffers:Capitol Lounge (231 Penn. Ave. SE) will have “red vs. blue” beer specials and “full sound with a bunch of TVs.” But the best part? Trump and Clinton impersonators will be walking around the bar. Join them from 8-10:30 p.m. Also, check out Hawk ‘n’ Dove (329 Penn. Ave. SE) for happy hour all day and night.

Off the hill: The Political Law Society, the American Constitution Society and the Public Speaking and Debate Society are hosting an event at Public Bar (1214 18th St. NW). Cash bar and food from 9 p.m. to midnight.

[Where to Watch Monday’s Debate]

ICYMI: Death benefit in the CR

The widow of Rep. Mark Takai, D-Hawaii, would receive a “death gratuity” of $174,000 under the GOP-written continuing resolution, released on Thursday. It has become standard practice to award such a benefit to the surviving spouse of a member of Congress.