Photos of the week | September 25-October 1, 2026 – Roll Call

Heard on the Hill

Photos of the week | September 25-October 1, 2026

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., poses for photos with Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and a supporter wearing a hat and necklace made of okra before the start of the Lexington Health Irmo Okra Strut Parade in Irmo, S.C., on Saturday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

By Bill Clark and Tom Williams

Posted October 2, 2026 at 10:24am

The Senate closed up shop Wednesday night to head home until after the midterm elections in November. Before leaving town, clouds appeared in the Hart Senate Office Building, and Jack Smith appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Here are photographs of the action captured by CQ Roll Call photojournalists this week.

A worker sweeps a portion of the Mountains and Clouds Sculpture prior to its final reinstallation in the Hart Senate Office Building on Sept. 25. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to reporters as he arrives in the Capitol on Monday to open the Senate. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Former special counsel Jack Smith takes his seat at the witness table before the start of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on “Oversight of Jack Smith’s Abuse of Authority and the Targeting of Republicans and Related Matters” in the Hart Senate Office Building on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., right, holds a sign while Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., questions former special counsel Jack Smith during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Former special counsel Jack Smith testifies during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., speaks to reporters while waiting for the elevator after a vote in the Capitol on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., talks with reporters in the Capitol on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Sens. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., left, and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., talk during votes in the Capitol on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, leaves the Senate floor after a vote in the Capitol on Wednesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, speaks to reporters as she arrives for the Senate Republicans’ lunch in the Capitol on Wednesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

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Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., poses for photos with Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and a supporter wearing a hat and necklace made of okra before the start of the Lexington Health Irmo Okra Strut Parade in Irmo, S.C., on Saturday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

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