Skip to content
RollCall logo

Staff

Herb Jackson

The Latest From Herb Jackson
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., paid himself $400,000 from donor contributions in May to reduce the outstanding balance of loans he made to win elections in 2010 and 2016.

Some members of Congress using donor money to repay themselves

By Herb Jackson
Posted August 14, 2023 at 5:00am
From left, Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, pose for a picture to mark National Seersucker Day in the Capitol on June 8.

Big shoes filled as Senate appropriators spread earmarks wealth

By Herb Jackson and Peter Cohn
Posted August 2, 2023 at 10:49am
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., topped the list of House members with earmarks in fiscal 2024 appropriations bills, sponsoring $273.3 million worth of projects.

Republicans hoover up earmarks in House spending bills

By Peter Cohn and Herb Jackson
Posted July 24, 2023 at 12:15pm

At the Races: Anti-woke appropriating

By Daniela Altimari and Mary Ellen McIntire and Niels Lesniewski and Herb Jackson
Posted July 20, 2023 at 2:30pm
Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff's campaign for California's open seat in the Senate raised more than $4 million in the second quarter, when House Republicans voted to censure him for comments about former President Donald Trump.

House GOP well funded for ’24, but Schiff censure opens cash spigot

By Herb Jackson
Posted July 17, 2023 at 5:30am, Updated at 11:01am

At the Races: Survey says what?

By Mary Ellen McIntire and Daniela Altimari and Herb Jackson
Posted May 25, 2023 at 2:30pm
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., arrives in the Capitol for a vote on April 18.

Earmarks increase in popularity, slightly, among GOP senators

By Aidan Quigley and Herb Jackson
Posted May 17, 2023 at 5:30am
Rep. Mike Lawler is among a group of New York Republicans who won in 2022 in districts who voted for Joe Biden in 2020, a dynamic that has landed them on Roll Call's most vulnerable incumbents list.

The most vulnerable 2024 incumbents, so far

By Jason Dick and Herb Jackson
Posted May 12, 2023 at 3:14pm
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., wants money to build a naval aircraft hangar in his district.

House GOP tops list of earmark seekers under new regime

By Aidan Quigley and Herb Jackson
Posted April 28, 2023 at 11:51am
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is setting up a legal defense fund after spending more than $230,000 from his campaign account for legal and related expenses.

Sen. Bob Menendez sets up legal defense fund, again

By Herb Jackson
Posted April 18, 2023 at 1:54pm
New York Republican Rep. George Santos, whose race next year is rated a Toss-up, raised just over $5,000 from January through March.

From highs to lows, FEC reports offer an early 2024 temperature

By Herb Jackson
Posted April 17, 2023 at 8:00am, Updated at 4:18pm
Actor George Clooney, center, appeared in April 2006 at the National Press Club for "SAVE DARFUR: Rally to Stop Genocide" with Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, and Sam Brownback, R-Kan. (CQ Roll Call file photo)

The National Press Club, explained

By Jason Dick and Herb Jackson
Posted April 13, 2023 at 10:41am
Former Rep. John A. Boehner holds up his congressional voting card back in 2009. CQ has tracked members’ votes and analyzed them for its annual vote studies for several decades.

Yes, they look at ALL the votes

By Jason Dick and Herb Jackson and Ryan Kelly
Posted March 24, 2023 at 3:33pm
Former Sen. Richard C. Shelby, R-Ala., right, had $6.1 million left in campaign accounts he controls on Dec. 31, while former Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., had $1.3 million.

Not couch cushion money: Former members sitting on $54 million

By Kate Ackley and Herb Jackson
Posted February 6, 2023 at 5:00am
GOP Rep. Randy Weber of Texas, who secured $287.5 million in earmarks, was among the lawmakers who voted against the omnibus spending measure.

GOP omnibus opponents bring home billions of earmarked dollars

By Peter Cohn and Herb Jackson
Posted December 23, 2022 at 6:59pm
Sen. Richard Shelby procured $1.2 billion in earmarks during the 117th Congress, including $10 million for the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa to create “an institute on public service and leadership.”

Once again, Shelby stands alone when it comes to earmarks

By Herb Jackson and Peter Cohn
Posted December 22, 2022 at 6:00am
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mehmet Oz put $26.8 million of his own money into his losing campaign in Pennsylvania.

Closing the books on the 2022 midterm campaign

By Kate Ackley and Herb Jackson
Posted December 9, 2022 at 5:01pm
Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said Friday she will register as an independent, leaving the Democratic Party.

Sinema leaves Democratic Party, registers as independent

By Daniela Altimari and Herb Jackson
Posted December 9, 2022 at 7:38am, Updated at 10:43am
New York Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney attends the Met Gala at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on Sept. 13.

Ethics office raps Rep. Carolyn Maloney over alleged Met Gala solicitation

By Herb Jackson
Posted November 21, 2022 at 5:28pm
Senate candidate Cheri Beasley speaks during a campaign rally on Saturday. Beasley, a Democrat, raised $13.4 million during the third quarter, nearly $8.6 million more than her Republican opponent.

Congressional fundraising climate favors Democrats

By Herb Jackson and Kate Ackley and Ryan Kelly
Posted October 17, 2022 at 5:50am
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., participates in a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Sept. 21. Johnson has been on Roll Call's list of 10 most vulnerable senators for the 2022 midterm cycle.

We love it when you’re vulnerable: Swing districts, members vs. members and more

By Jason Dick and Herb Jackson and Kate Ackley and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted September 21, 2022 at 3:24pm
New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, the defending champion in the National Press Club spelling bee, was knocked out this year on “whangdoodle.”

Press wins spelling bee after politician flubs ‘whangdoodle’

By Herb Jackson
Posted September 15, 2022 at 12:11pm
New York Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney easily won his primary for another term in New York's 17th District.

Who won the key races in Florida, New York and Oklahoma

By Mary Ellen McIntire and Niels Lesniewski and Kate Ackley and Stephanie Akin and Herb Jackson
Posted August 23, 2022 at 7:39pm, Updated August 24, 2022 at 5:43am
Sen. Mazie Hirono, left, donated to the winning Democrat for Hawaii's open 2nd District seat ahead of Tuesday's primary, in which fellow Sen. Brian Schatz, right, was also renominated.

Progressive Jill Tokuda nominated for Hawaii’s open 2nd District seat

By Mary Ellen McIntire and Herb Jackson
Posted August 14, 2022 at 9:51am
Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler's lead over a challenger backed by former President Donald Trump has narrowed as votes continue to be counted in Washington's 3rd District.

Newhouse declared winner while Herrera Beutler’s lead narrows

By Herb Jackson and Kate Ackley and Niels Lesniewski
Posted August 6, 2022 at 8:40am
Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is seen at the Senate steps of the Capitol on June 9. Warnock, in a competitive race for reelection, has raised a prodigious amount of money for his campaign.

Previously on the 2022 primary show: Crazy cash, ISIS brides and representatives prohibited from representing

By Jason Dick and Herb Jackson
Posted July 21, 2022 at 12:29pm
Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., had $15 million more in his campaign account on June 30 than his opponent.

New FEC filings show no sign of donors abandoning Democrats

By Herb Jackson
Posted July 18, 2022 at 11:41am
Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, has a lot to smile about so far in this year's appropriations process.

House spending bills spread around $8 billion worth of earmarks

By Peter Cohn and Herb Jackson
Posted June 28, 2022 at 11:30am
Voters chose nominees Tuesday in five states.

Key results from Tuesday’s primaries

By Herb Jackson and Mary Ellen McIntire
Posted May 17, 2022 at 9:16pm, Updated May 18, 2022 at 6:04am
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., center, and Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., left, seen here on April 5 in the Capitol, raised a combined $25 million in the first quarter for their reelection campaigns.

Cash rules all politics? Maybe, maybe not. Our look at the latest FEC fundraising numbers

By Jason Dick and Kate Ackley and Herb Jackson
Posted April 21, 2022 at 10:54am
Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., brought in more money than her Trump-backed Republican challenger in the first three months of 2022.

Trump targets outraise challengers, unlike some other incumbents

By Herb Jackson
Posted April 20, 2022 at 5:00am
Sen. Richard C. Shelby, R-Ala., was responsible for $548 million in earmarks in the omnibus spending bill signed by the president on Tuesday.

In the game of earmarks, Shelby has no peers

By Peter Cohn and Ryan Kelly and Herb Jackson
Posted March 16, 2022 at 5:00am
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., attends a meeting of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol on Dec. 1.

Kinzinger to keep fight against Trumpism going after House, but hedges on 2024

By Herb Jackson
Posted February 28, 2022 at 8:00am
Rep. Albio Sires, D-N.J., plans to retire after his current term ends.

Rep. Albio Sires to retire, back Sen. Bob Menendez’s son for seat

By Kate Ackley and Herb Jackson
Posted December 20, 2021 at 3:50pm
North Carolina Rep. G.K. Butterfield is one of 13 Democrats added to the House GOP campaign arm's target list for 2022.

Democrats assess blame as GOP reacts to election by expanding 2022 target list

By Kate Ackley and Herb Jackson
Posted November 3, 2021 at 10:43am, Updated at 4:42pm
People evacuate the Capitol on Sept. 11, 2001, after the hijacked AA Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. At center is Iowa Sen. Charles E. Grassley.

Two staffers who opened their Capitol Hill homes to colleagues on 9/11

By Niels Lesniewski and Herb Jackson
Posted September 8, 2021 at 5:00am
From right, Reps. Al Green, D-Texas, Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Martin Luther King III, participate in the March on for Voting Rights on Saturday. The event was held on the 58th anniversary of the March on Washington.

Biden, Manchin singled out as voting rights rally demands end to filibuster

By Herb Jackson and Tom Williams
Posted August 28, 2021 at 4:51pm
New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer was among the Democratic moderates who battled with Speaker Nancy Pelosi over the timing of a vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Standoff by moderates highlights Democratic rift, but will it affect 2022?

By Herb Jackson
Posted August 24, 2021 at 4:41pm

At the Races: So much for infrastructure week

By Herb Jackson and Stephanie Akin and Bridget Bowman
Posted August 19, 2021 at 2:30pm
The partisan balance is very close in the House this Congress, making special elections and their timing even more important.

What’s so special about special elections?

By Jason Dick and Herb Jackson and Evan Campbell
Posted August 9, 2021 at 2:13pm
Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney raised $1.9 million the second quarter as she battles for her political survival as a top Republican target of former President Donald Trump.

Targeted by Trump for opposing his ‘lies’ about election fraud, Rep. Liz Cheney raises $1.9 million

By Herb Jackson
Posted July 13, 2021 at 5:47pm
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and other supporters of the S 1 elections overhaul rally outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday to call for the bill’s passage.

Will Democrats go to war on voting rights?

By Herb Jackson
Posted June 14, 2021 at 10:30am
From Six PAC to Steer PAC to all kinds of acronyms, new lawmakers are getting in on the fundraising name game. Above, House Republicans pose for a new member photo on the steps of the Capitol on Jan. 4.

Leadership PACs are often overlooked. These corny names can’t be ignored

By Herb Jackson
Posted April 20, 2021 at 6:00am
As Donald Trump calls for his defeat in 2022 because of his vote for impeachment, Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger saw his fundraising last quarter grow by more than 250 percent compared with the same period last cycle.

How the Jan. 6 riot is affecting campaign fundraising

By Kate Ackley and Bridget Bowman and Herb Jackson
Posted April 16, 2021 at 5:48pm
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and others look on as President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses depart the Capitol on Inauguration Day. The inauguration marked the first day of unified control of government under Democrats since 2011.

Governing in a hurry: The fleeting nature of unified control

By Jason Dick and Herb Jackson and Evan Campbell
Posted March 31, 2021 at 3:28pm
Donations from Comcast’s corporate PAC, one of the most active in the 2020 cycle, dried up in January as the company and many others examine donation policies in the wake of the Capitol riot.

Corporate PAC donations to parties and candidates plummet after Capitol riot

By Kate Ackley and Herb Jackson
Posted March 16, 2021 at 5:30am
Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski is the only Republican senator who voted to convict Donald Trump at his second impeachment trial and has an election in 2022.

Maybe everyone just wants to move on

By Jason Dick and Evan Campbell and Bridget Bowman and Herb Jackson
Posted February 17, 2021 at 3:34pm
Voters stand in line on the last day of early voting at Lenora Park Gym in Snellville, Ga., on Oct. 30, 2020.

Voter turnout was a 2020 bright spot, but it might not continue

By Herb Jackson
Posted February 1, 2021 at 10:30am
Trump supporters occupy the West Front of the Capitol and the inauguration stands on Wednesday.

The Transition: President Trump’s death rattle

By Jim Saksa and Evan Campbell and Niels Lesniewski and Herb Jackson
Posted January 8, 2021 at 6:25pm
Trump rioters occupy the West Front of the Capitol and the inauguration stands on Jan. 6, 2021.

Capitol riot: What our Hill reporters and photographers saw

By Herb Jackson and Caroline Brehman and Chris Cioffi and Katherine Tully-McManus and Tom Williams
Posted January 6, 2021 at 7:04pm