I'm a 25-year-old Congress reporter for Insider. Here's what it's like getting lawmakers on the record while navigating the halls of the Capitol

Bryan MetzgerDec 31, 2022, 17:45 IST

Me outside the House of Representatives.Bryan Metzger/Insider

I've been working as a reporter for Insider on Capitol Hill since July 2021.
That includes covering daily happenings and major political events, like the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

I first began reporting on Congress from Capitol Hill in August 2021, shortly after I was hired as a fellow for Insider. It's been the most exciting chapter of my career as a journalist so far.

As a Hill reporter, I've had the opportunity to cover several major events through the lens of Congress, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the confirmation of a new Supreme Court justice, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the January 6 committee's hearings, the effort to institute new protections for same-sex marriage, and several other big pieces of legislation.

Capitol Hill is also just a fun place to be — I've made lots of friends among my fellow journalists, and I've learned a ton from watching how others do their work.

Every day is different from the next, and for a politics junkie like myself, I can think of no place more invigorating to work.

Here are some of the things I get to do during a typical week on the Hill:

Press conferences are some of the best places to get lawmakers on the record

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calling on a reporter at a press conference in December.Bryan Metzger/Insider

Reporters can track down senators in the Senate basement on their way to vote

Senators and staff exiting a subway in the Capitol basement. Democratic Sens. Alex Padilla of California, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut can all be seen in this photo.Bryan Metzger/Insider

You can find dozens of House members on the steps after votes

House members walking down the steps outside the chamber in September 2021.Bryan Metzger/Insider

Sometimes, I get to cover high-profile congressional hearings

Cassidy Hutchinson departs after testifying before the January 6 committee on June 28, 2022.Shawn Thew/AFP via Getty Images

Once I have the quotes I need, I head to the gallery to write

The Senate Daily Press Gallery on a typical weekday afternoon.Bryan Metzger/Insider

"Cups" is the best place to get coffee in the Capitol complex

Cups, located in the basement of the Russell Senate Office Building.Bryan Metzger/Insider

Sometimes, you even end up in professional photos!

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York speaking with reporters in the Cannon Tunnel.Bryan Metzger/Insider

Sometimes, celebrities make their way to the Hill...

Paris Hilton and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California speak at a press conference in October 2021.Bryan Metzger/Insider

...or even the president of the United States...

President Joe Biden at the Russell Senate Office Building during an effort to pass voting rights legislation in January 2022.Bryan Metzger/Insider

...or the President of France!

French President Emmanuel Macron and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the Capitol on December 1, 2022.Bryan Metzger/Insider

Sometimes, it's nice to just sit in the Rotunda

A panoramic view of the empty Capitol rotunda on a typical weekday evening.Bryan Metzger/Insider

Or catch a stunning sunset

Sunset from the Senate side of the Capitol in December 2021.Bryan Metzger/Insider

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