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Heard on the Hill

Photos of the week | July 11-17, 2025

Michigan Democratic Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin talk with an aide dressed as a hot dog during a Wednesday reception they hosted in the Russell Building to celebrate National Hot Dog Day.
Michigan Democratic Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin talk with an aide dressed as a hot dog during a Wednesday reception they hosted in the Russell Building to celebrate National Hot Dog Day. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
By Bill Clark and Tom Williams
Posted July 18, 2025 at 12:29pm

Softball, hot dogs, lightning and Congress hopefully wrapping up business in time for a much-needed August recess. Here are a few images captured by CQ Roll Call’s photojournalists this week.

Lightning strikes behind the Washington Monument in Washington as thunderstorms moved through the area on Monday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Speaker Mike Johnson imitates an Italian accent while referencing his Italian grandfather during the news conference Tuesday after a House Republican Conference meeting at the Republican National Committee. Florida Rep. Jimmy Patronis, left, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise are also pictured. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., speaks to media outlets Tuesday about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act during the House GOP’s media row event in the Capitol basement. House Republicans are making a push to sell the law to the American public. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., right, arrive on the Senate subway for a vote in the Capitol on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker jokingly blocks the Senate subway door Tuesday as Republican Sens. Katie Britt of Alabama and Bernie Moreno of Ohio arrive for a vote in the Capitol. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer puts mustard on a hot dog Wednesday during the reception hosted by Michigan’s senators to celebrate National Hot Dog Day. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Michigan GOP Rep. Lisa McClain, playing shortstop, snags a line drive Wednesday evening during the annual Congressional Women’s Softball Game at Audi Field in Washington. Team Congress claimed a 5-3 victory over the Bad News Babes, a team of media members, when thunderstorms ended the game early. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Lightning flashes over Audi Field on Wednesday night after a shelter in place order was issued during the Congressional Women’s Softball Game. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
From left, Republican Reps. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin and French Hill of Arkansas and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota conduct a news conference in the Capitol on Thursday after the chamber passed legislation known as the GENIUS Act. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

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