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Taking the grand tour of Washington

Political Theater, Episode 371

Former Roll Callers Christina Bellantoni and Neda Semnani have been leading their students on a tour of Washington during a time when Congress has been debating significant changes to tax and entitlement laws, such as at the House Rules Committee, shown here last week.
Former Roll Callers Christina Bellantoni and Neda Semnani have been leading their students on a tour of Washington during a time when Congress has been debating significant changes to tax and entitlement laws, such as at the House Rules Committee, shown here last week. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
By Jason Dick, Christina Bellantoni and Neda Toloui-Semnani
Posted May 27, 2025 at 6:16pm

Jason Dick talks with former Roll Callers and current journalism professors Christina Bellantoni and Neda Semnani about the value of just talking to people, how the years change your perspective on Washington and why it’s important to bear witness. 

Show Notes:

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There could be as many as 20 former members of Congress serving as governor early next year. Some are on the ballot this fall, and others are incumbents not up for reelection in 2026. The include, top row, from left: former North Dakota Rep. Kelly Armstrong, former New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, former California Rep. Xavier Becerra, Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, former Indiana Sen. Mike Braun, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds; middle row, from left, former Montana Rep. Greg Gianforte, former Puerto Rico Res. Cmmsr. Jenniffer González-Colón, former New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland, former New York Rep. Kathy Hochul, Michigan Rep. John James, former Florida Rep. Jolly, former Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar; bottom row, from left: former Louisiana Rep. Jeff Landry, former Colorado Rep. Greg Lopez, U.S. Virgin Islands Del. Stacey Plaskett, former New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill, former Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger, Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville (Courtesy Bill Clark/Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call; Government of Puerto Rico; Greg Lopez for Colorado)

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