Possibly the hardest part about covering Congress is getting lawmakers off script. They have teams of staffers around, constantly feeding them “their” policy positions. They also attend weekly caucus meetings, where the leadership lays out the party’s stance and talking points on the week’s agenda.

That’s why retiring lawmakers are great.

Republicans in the House are growing increasingly angry with their leaders, but no members will talk about it on the record (off the record their staffers will, but that does little good for a radio reporter).  read more »

One of the best things about starting your own company is being able to choose the people you work with every day. At CNC we have been blessed with the best and the brightest, and you can hear that every day in the radio news reporting from Congress our talented team provides some 200 stations. But finding the money to hire everyone you need isn't easy for a nonprofit like CNC.  read more »

It's a big leap of faith: that you and millions of other Americans will have enough faith in the power of a good question to keep Presidential candidates on their toes and lawmakers accountable. They need to know you are watching them, that you care! We are betting you do - that this election year you will ask questions you think journalists should be asking, that you will add your voice to questions others have asked, that you will use and share the audio answers our journalists track down for you.  read more »

How many people can call up Senator Hillary Clinton and get a sit-down interview? Or get their phone call to their Representative answered ahead of all those lobbyists lined up down the corridor of Rayburn or Cannon? Or just bump into a presidential candidate in the corridors of Capitol Hill or on the campaign trail and expect to get a question answered?

Not many. Till now, that is.  read more »