Staff Writer, Congressional Leadership

Washington’s CQ Roll Call brings up-to-date news, analysis and insights to senior decision-makers on Capitol Hill. This trusted source of unbiased, impartial information provides authoritative, nonpartisan and accurate congressional news and legislative tracking tools to its subscribers. Through more than 40 print and online products, CQ Roll Call offers insight on the people and institutions that influence public policy and legislation, keeping readers updated on a weekly, daily and real-time basis with coverage of every legislative action in Congress via breaking news, bill tracking and member profiles.

All applicants must submit four (4) published writing samples from newspapers, news websites or news magazines that demonstrate reporting and writing ability.

When submitting stories, please include a note about your work: What sets it apart from other coverage?

What does it illustrate about your approach to journalism?

The work samples can be uploaded as documents or provided as direct links that are not password-protected.

Washington’s CQ Roll Call brings up-to-date news, analysis and insights to senior decision-makers on Capitol Hill. This trusted source of unbiased, impartial information provides authoritative, nonpartisan and accurate congressional news and legislative tracking tools to its subscribers. Through more than 40 print and online products, CQ Roll Call offers insight on the people and institutions that influence public policy and legislation, keeping readers updated on a weekly, daily and real-time basis with coverage of every legislative action in Congress via breaking news, bill tracking and member profiles.

All applicants must submit four (4) published writing samples from newspapers, news websites or news magazines that demonstrate reporting and writing ability.

When submitting stories, please include a note about your work: What sets it apart from other coverage?

What does it illustrate about your approach to journalism?

The work samples can be uploaded as documents or provided as direct links that are not password-protected.

• Producing a daily story of the day about congressional leaders and their strategies and messaging, as well as contributing to other teams’ stories and medium- and long-term enterprise reports
• Thriving in a newsroom where journalism is produced for two websites, one subscriber-focused on policy, and the other a broader political audience; a newspaper that publishes when Congress is in session; and dozens of newsletters in front of and behind a paywall
• Contributing to both CQ and Roll Call newsletters as well as prominent space in Roll Call print, contributing to legislative tracking as needed (markups and vote entry) as well as major legislation and nominations
• Writing and analysis of annual CQ Vote Studies reports
• Working with the White House correspondent on the relationship between the executive and legislative leaders
• Collaborating on photo/visuals, graphics, podcasts and other storytelling forms to enhance your reporting
• Writing profile stories about members of the House and Senate, particularly leaders and prominent caucus and faction leaders and other lawmakers and congressional candidates that feed CQ’s Guide to the New Congress and other products about members
• Participating in webinars and other corporate activities to amplify your journalism
• 3+ years of experience as a reporter at newspapers, news websites, magazines, wire services and other news outlets.
• Experience in Washington, D.C., for a subscription news outlet, wire service or news bureau covering Congress is strongly recommended
• An ability to find new, creative ways to scrutinize the relationships among Congress, the White House, judicial branch and lobbying efforts to influence them
• A college degree is helpful but not essential. Equivalent, relevant work experience is what matters
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and mastery of AP style
• Strong understanding of congressional procedure and history and culture and the ability to convey your passion for the subject to readers
• A commitment to the journalistic values of accuracy, objectivity, fairness and editorial independence