Capitol Lens | A bloom with a view

By Bill Clark and Tom Williams

Posted March 31, 2025 at 5:29pm

The weather in Washington has gotten warmer in the past few days and springtime is definitely here.

Tourists are descending on the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms, which reached their peak bloom over the weekend, according to the National Park Service.

Roll Call’s photojournalists share some of their photos from the past few days of spring in Washington.

Tulips bloom on the East Front of the Capitol in Washington on Friday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Members of the Sisters of Life and other tourists view cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin on Monday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

A girl inspects cherry blossoms in a tree at the Tidal Basin on Monday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Mallard ducks float among fallen cherry blossom petals in the Tidal Basin on Monday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Tourists wait in line to enter the Capitol Visitor Center on Thursday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Major spending package on Senate floor next week faces doubts

A mid-decade redistricting effort in Indiana that could target Democratic Rep. Frank J. Mrvan has hit a roadblock in the state Senate.

Republican efforts to redraw Indiana’s congressional map stall again

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., was among the Democrats who forged a deal to re-open the government.

In shutdown deal, bipartisan legislating trumped party unity

A chair with a “broken” sign sits in a hallway in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Oct. 30. As the federal government emerges from a shutdown, members of Congress have some thoughts on lessons learned.

After a shutdown, no ‘A’s for effort

The Capitol dome is lit on Wednesday night as the House prepared to pass the funding bill to end the partial government shutdown. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Photos of the week | November 7-13, 2025

A worker stocks Angus beef top-sirloin filets in the meat section of a grocery store in Washington.

Heard on the Hill