Paul Kane
@pkcapitol.bsky.social
Covering the Capitol & its occupants for decades. Love all things Philly sports.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/paul-kane/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/paul-kane/
These charts sum up U.S. economic highs and lows.
One industry hiring right now is healthcare/social care (very aging population will need more workers there).
Consumer spending is resilient and booming - for top 10%.
And 7 tech companies are driving stocks high.
Via @washingtonpost.com
One industry hiring right now is healthcare/social care (very aging population will need more workers there).
Consumer spending is resilient and booming - for top 10%.
And 7 tech companies are driving stocks high.
Via @washingtonpost.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:29 PM
These charts sum up U.S. economic highs and lows.
One industry hiring right now is healthcare/social care (very aging population will need more workers there).
Consumer spending is resilient and booming - for top 10%.
And 7 tech companies are driving stocks high.
Via @washingtonpost.com
One industry hiring right now is healthcare/social care (very aging population will need more workers there).
Consumer spending is resilient and booming - for top 10%.
And 7 tech companies are driving stocks high.
Via @washingtonpost.com
So @joshhuder.bsky.social has come up with a great explanation for something I’ve struggled I’ve struggled to describe for few years: Speaker Johnson is both omnipotent & impotent in leading House.
Rs are so hyper-partisan they won’t even work with each other.
gai.georgetown.edu/nobody-knows...
Rs are so hyper-partisan they won’t even work with each other.
gai.georgetown.edu/nobody-knows...
January 24, 2026 at 3:09 PM
So @joshhuder.bsky.social has come up with a great explanation for something I’ve struggled I’ve struggled to describe for few years: Speaker Johnson is both omnipotent & impotent in leading House.
Rs are so hyper-partisan they won’t even work with each other.
gai.georgetown.edu/nobody-knows...
Rs are so hyper-partisan they won’t even work with each other.
gai.georgetown.edu/nobody-knows...
Reposted by Paul Kane
Thom Tillis wants you to know something: ‘I’m sick of stupid’ Latest from @pkcapitol.bsky.social -- www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | Thom Tillis wants you to know something: ‘I’m sick of stupid’
The North Carolina Republican has been at the forefront this month of staking out anti-MAGA ground and criticizing Trump’s aides.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Thom Tillis wants you to know something: ‘I’m sick of stupid’ Latest from @pkcapitol.bsky.social -- www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
House Rs tonight hit new low in their MINO status:
Majority. In. Name. Only.
Just 191 Rs voted in last roll call, while 199 Dems showed up to vote.
More than 12% of House Rs (27!) didn't bother to show up.
I wrote about this days ago for my Sunday column:
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Majority. In. Name. Only.
Just 191 Rs voted in last roll call, while 199 Dems showed up to vote.
More than 12% of House Rs (27!) didn't bother to show up.
I wrote about this days ago for my Sunday column:
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | A majority in name only? House Republicans are barely hanging on.
Moves to Trump administration, resignations and deaths leave GOP without a functional majority.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:30 AM
House Rs tonight hit new low in their MINO status:
Majority. In. Name. Only.
Just 191 Rs voted in last roll call, while 199 Dems showed up to vote.
More than 12% of House Rs (27!) didn't bother to show up.
I wrote about this days ago for my Sunday column:
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Majority. In. Name. Only.
Just 191 Rs voted in last roll call, while 199 Dems showed up to vote.
More than 12% of House Rs (27!) didn't bother to show up.
I wrote about this days ago for my Sunday column:
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Paul Kane
A majority in name only? House Republicans are barely hanging on. @pkcapitol.bsky.social does the arithmetic. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | A majority in name only? House Republicans are barely hanging on.
Moves to Trump administration, resignations and deaths leave GOP without a functional majority.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:25 AM
A majority in name only? House Republicans are barely hanging on. @pkcapitol.bsky.social does the arithmetic. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Paul Kane
Three PA Republicans voted for it -- Bresnahan, Fitzpatrick and Mackenzie
17 House Rs voted with all 213 dems to pass bill that would extend tax credits for the Affordable Care Act.
Aside from 1 vote in Nov. 2009 - when House passed its 1st version of ACA - these are the first GOP votes ever for what they long derided as Obamacare.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Aside from 1 vote in Nov. 2009 - when House passed its 1st version of ACA - these are the first GOP votes ever for what they long derided as Obamacare.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
House passes bill extending health care subsidies, bucking GOP leaders
Prospects for passage in the Senate are unclear. The enhanced subsidies expired at the end of 2025, driving costs up for millions.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Three PA Republicans voted for it -- Bresnahan, Fitzpatrick and Mackenzie
17 House Rs voted with all 213 dems to pass bill that would extend tax credits for the Affordable Care Act.
Aside from 1 vote in Nov. 2009 - when House passed its 1st version of ACA - these are the first GOP votes ever for what they long derided as Obamacare.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Aside from 1 vote in Nov. 2009 - when House passed its 1st version of ACA - these are the first GOP votes ever for what they long derided as Obamacare.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
House passes bill extending health care subsidies, bucking GOP leaders
Prospects for passage in the Senate are unclear. The enhanced subsidies expired at the end of 2025, driving costs up for millions.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:33 PM
17 House Rs voted with all 213 dems to pass bill that would extend tax credits for the Affordable Care Act.
Aside from 1 vote in Nov. 2009 - when House passed its 1st version of ACA - these are the first GOP votes ever for what they long derided as Obamacare.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Aside from 1 vote in Nov. 2009 - when House passed its 1st version of ACA - these are the first GOP votes ever for what they long derided as Obamacare.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Paul Kane
👀 Marriage “bootcamp,” huge tax breaks for couples with kids, capping alimony, discouraging online dating…
A WaPo exclusive, we got the final draft of the Heritage Foundation’s “Manhattan Project” for more babies.
Plus a previous draft with scrapped ideas, which you’ll want to see.
🎁 link:
A WaPo exclusive, we got the final draft of the Heritage Foundation’s “Manhattan Project” for more babies.
Plus a previous draft with scrapped ideas, which you’ll want to see.
🎁 link:
Heritage paper on families calls for ‘marriage bootcamp,’ more babies
The conservative think tank aims to boost U.S. marriage and births through discouraging online dating, restricting pornography and creating tax credits for families.
wapo.st
January 8, 2026 at 1:05 PM
👀 Marriage “bootcamp,” huge tax breaks for couples with kids, capping alimony, discouraging online dating…
A WaPo exclusive, we got the final draft of the Heritage Foundation’s “Manhattan Project” for more babies.
Plus a previous draft with scrapped ideas, which you’ll want to see.
🎁 link:
A WaPo exclusive, we got the final draft of the Heritage Foundation’s “Manhattan Project” for more babies.
Plus a previous draft with scrapped ideas, which you’ll want to see.
🎁 link:
Reposted by Paul Kane
A great @pkcapitol.bsky.social scoop here, and a write-up entirely worth your time, even at this hour.
Rep. Steny Hoyer to retire, ending storied career in elected office
Maryland’s longest serving member of Congress won’t seek reelection after having spent two decades as the No. 2 House Democrat.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:12 AM
A great @pkcapitol.bsky.social scoop here, and a write-up entirely worth your time, even at this hour.
I sat down for 2-plus hours Tuesday with Steny Hoyer as he talked about a career that began in Annapolis in 1967 and will end later this year.
He’s not running again. And he’s content with a storied career even if he didn’t get the speaker’s gavel.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
He’s not running again. And he’s content with a storied career even if he didn’t get the speaker’s gavel.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Rep. Steny Hoyer to retire, ending storied career in elected office
Maryland’s longest serving member of Congress won’t seek reelection after having spent two decades as the No. 2 House Democrat.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:55 AM
I sat down for 2-plus hours Tuesday with Steny Hoyer as he talked about a career that began in Annapolis in 1967 and will end later this year.
He’s not running again. And he’s content with a storied career even if he didn’t get the speaker’s gavel.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
He’s not running again. And he’s content with a storied career even if he didn’t get the speaker’s gavel.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
The plaque is several feet wide, several feet high. It was last seen in a basement workshop of a House office bldg next to a mini-frig, a scooter & set of small lockers.
Now that plague’s hidden status symbolizes everything about 5 years ago.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Now that plague’s hidden status symbolizes everything about 5 years ago.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | Lawmakers battle over how — and whether — Jan. 6 should be remembered
House Republicans continue to hide a plaque honoring the police who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, almost three years after a law passed requiring its display.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:36 PM
The plaque is several feet wide, several feet high. It was last seen in a basement workshop of a House office bldg next to a mini-frig, a scooter & set of small lockers.
Now that plague’s hidden status symbolizes everything about 5 years ago.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Now that plague’s hidden status symbolizes everything about 5 years ago.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Seeing this on the POTUS calendar for tomorrow was kinda triggering.
I hope he doesn’t tell any 7-yr-old’s that it’s “marginal” to believe in Santa. Like he did Christmas Day 2018.
www.youtube.com/shorts/F1JaV...
I hope he doesn’t tell any 7-yr-old’s that it’s “marginal” to believe in Santa. Like he did Christmas Day 2018.
www.youtube.com/shorts/F1JaV...
December 24, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Seeing this on the POTUS calendar for tomorrow was kinda triggering.
I hope he doesn’t tell any 7-yr-old’s that it’s “marginal” to believe in Santa. Like he did Christmas Day 2018.
www.youtube.com/shorts/F1JaV...
I hope he doesn’t tell any 7-yr-old’s that it’s “marginal” to believe in Santa. Like he did Christmas Day 2018.
www.youtube.com/shorts/F1JaV...
Reposted by Paul Kane
Read this beautiful tribute by @stephenking.bsky.social about Rob Reiner. I definitely teared up more than once.
“You’re gonna be a great writer someday.” Truer words were never spoken.
“You’re gonna be a great writer someday.” Truer words were never spoken.
Opinion | Stephen King: Why I Hugged Rob Reiner After Watching ‘Stand by Me’
www.nytimes.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Read this beautiful tribute by @stephenking.bsky.social about Rob Reiner. I definitely teared up more than once.
“You’re gonna be a great writer someday.” Truer words were never spoken.
“You’re gonna be a great writer someday.” Truer words were never spoken.
Within 20 minutes of one another Cynthia Lummis & Elise Stefanik announced they wouldn't run next year.
It's latest blow in a tough year for GOP women in Congress. After record highs in '23, R women falling in House. Same in Senate.
Some R women see sexism.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
It's latest blow in a tough year for GOP women in Congress. After record highs in '23, R women falling in House. Same in Senate.
Some R women see sexism.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | Republican women shrinking their ranks in Congress
Retirements, resignations and tough elections could cut into their growing numbers from recent elections.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Within 20 minutes of one another Cynthia Lummis & Elise Stefanik announced they wouldn't run next year.
It's latest blow in a tough year for GOP women in Congress. After record highs in '23, R women falling in House. Same in Senate.
Some R women see sexism.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
It's latest blow in a tough year for GOP women in Congress. After record highs in '23, R women falling in House. Same in Senate.
Some R women see sexism.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
An important must read from my colleagues:
Robert E Lee’s statue got ejected from Capitol Crypt 5 years ago. Today Virginia replaced the Confederate with Barbara Rose Johns, who at 16 led protest that helped spur Brown v Board of Ed in 1953.
Amazing.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Robert E Lee’s statue got ejected from Capitol Crypt 5 years ago. Today Virginia replaced the Confederate with Barbara Rose Johns, who at 16 led protest that helped spur Brown v Board of Ed in 1953.
Amazing.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Statue of Black teen who fought segregation replaces Robert E. Lee at U.S. Capitol
Barbara Rose Johns was only 16 when she led a walkout in 1951 to protest horrendous conditions at her segregated high school for Black students in rural Farmville, Virginia.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:14 AM
An important must read from my colleagues:
Robert E Lee’s statue got ejected from Capitol Crypt 5 years ago. Today Virginia replaced the Confederate with Barbara Rose Johns, who at 16 led protest that helped spur Brown v Board of Ed in 1953.
Amazing.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Robert E Lee’s statue got ejected from Capitol Crypt 5 years ago. Today Virginia replaced the Confederate with Barbara Rose Johns, who at 16 led protest that helped spur Brown v Board of Ed in 1953.
Amazing.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
How anger has become a defining characteristic of voters for party out of power, and how Dems are more angry than either party’s voters have been.
Amazing @pewresearch.org look at 3 decades of voter attitudes.
Appears 2006-08 was pivot point.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Amazing @pewresearch.org look at 3 decades of voter attitudes.
Appears 2006-08 was pivot point.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | Anger is a defining character trait for both parties, new study shows
An updated Pew study shows that, with the change in administrations and party power in Congress, Democrats are now at record levels of anger toward government.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:27 PM
How anger has become a defining characteristic of voters for party out of power, and how Dems are more angry than either party’s voters have been.
Amazing @pewresearch.org look at 3 decades of voter attitudes.
Appears 2006-08 was pivot point.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Amazing @pewresearch.org look at 3 decades of voter attitudes.
Appears 2006-08 was pivot point.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
This was a pretty wild exchange I had with Sen. Kennedy denying the reality of even Trump's own press secretary confirming the facts as my WaPo colleagues reported.
The Trump WH dispute is merely over whether the 2nd strike was legal. Yet a GOP senator denied even that reality.
The Trump WH dispute is merely over whether the 2nd strike was legal. Yet a GOP senator denied even that reality.
Totally normal behavior www.thebulwark.com/p/obamacare-...
December 2, 2025 at 10:41 PM
This was a pretty wild exchange I had with Sen. Kennedy denying the reality of even Trump's own press secretary confirming the facts as my WaPo colleagues reported.
The Trump WH dispute is merely over whether the 2nd strike was legal. Yet a GOP senator denied even that reality.
The Trump WH dispute is merely over whether the 2nd strike was legal. Yet a GOP senator denied even that reality.
I’ve seen lotsa House speaker & Senate leader types with their own swag. Some of it quite sharp looking.
I’ve never seen a House speaker wearing swag that was more heavily promoting the president than his own team brand.
Photo from @notus.com
I’ve never seen a House speaker wearing swag that was more heavily promoting the president than his own team brand.
Photo from @notus.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I’ve seen lotsa House speaker & Senate leader types with their own swag. Some of it quite sharp looking.
I’ve never seen a House speaker wearing swag that was more heavily promoting the president than his own team brand.
Photo from @notus.com
I’ve never seen a House speaker wearing swag that was more heavily promoting the president than his own team brand.
Photo from @notus.com
Meet the author who coined a 4-word rejoinder to MAGA that’s embraced by @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social
“There’s something unifying when we are asked to do something together, and building a strong floor, no ceiling is just like that,” Oliver Libby tells me.
He’s not a consultant or pollster. ….
“There’s something unifying when we are asked to do something together, and building a strong floor, no ceiling is just like that,” Oliver Libby tells me.
He’s not a consultant or pollster. ….
November 30, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Meet the author who coined a 4-word rejoinder to MAGA that’s embraced by @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social
“There’s something unifying when we are asked to do something together, and building a strong floor, no ceiling is just like that,” Oliver Libby tells me.
He’s not a consultant or pollster. ….
“There’s something unifying when we are asked to do something together, and building a strong floor, no ceiling is just like that,” Oliver Libby tells me.
He’s not a consultant or pollster. ….
Six-year-itch midterms are funky. There’s usually only a little change for presidents in the House - but the Senate turns into a massive dumpster fire.
In 2006, Dems +6 included 4 states W had won twice; in ‘14 Rs +9 included 3 Obama ‘08 states.
2026?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
In 2006, Dems +6 included 4 states W had won twice; in ‘14 Rs +9 included 3 Obama ‘08 states.
2026?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
November 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Six-year-itch midterms are funky. There’s usually only a little change for presidents in the House - but the Senate turns into a massive dumpster fire.
In 2006, Dems +6 included 4 states W had won twice; in ‘14 Rs +9 included 3 Obama ‘08 states.
2026?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
In 2006, Dems +6 included 4 states W had won twice; in ‘14 Rs +9 included 3 Obama ‘08 states.
2026?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Paul Kane
Why you should always, always read @pkcapitol.bsky.social capitol (I may be saying this a lot over the next year) -- It’s called the ‘six-year itch.’ Democrats hope it favors them for the Senate. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | It’s called the ‘six-year itch.’ Democrats hope it favors them for the Senate.
The sixth year of a presidency typically produces brutal results for his party in Senate races, but everything about Trump is unconventional.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Why you should always, always read @pkcapitol.bsky.social capitol (I may be saying this a lot over the next year) -- It’s called the ‘six-year itch.’ Democrats hope it favors them for the Senate. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
"The brutality of Jamal’s murder, reported to be on orders of the Crown Prince … the extensive Saudi efforts to cover it up … and our government’s apparent willingness to accept these repeated lies … "
- Fred Ryan, publisher of Washington Post, Jan. 10, 2019
1/
....
- Fred Ryan, publisher of Washington Post, Jan. 10, 2019
1/
....
November 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
"The brutality of Jamal’s murder, reported to be on orders of the Crown Prince … the extensive Saudi efforts to cover it up … and our government’s apparent willingness to accept these repeated lies … "
- Fred Ryan, publisher of Washington Post, Jan. 10, 2019
1/
....
- Fred Ryan, publisher of Washington Post, Jan. 10, 2019
1/
....
The ultimate tribute to @pelosi.house.gov may be, more than 3 years after announcing she was leaving leadership, the same week she announced she’s retiring, the NRCC is still pumping out fundraising emails invoking her name.
She wore the GOP hatred of her as a badge of honor.
O
She wore the GOP hatred of her as a badge of honor.
O
November 13, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The ultimate tribute to @pelosi.house.gov may be, more than 3 years after announcing she was leaving leadership, the same week she announced she’s retiring, the NRCC is still pumping out fundraising emails invoking her name.
She wore the GOP hatred of her as a badge of honor.
O
She wore the GOP hatred of her as a badge of honor.
O
The internet version of @pelosi.house.gov is she was always a powerhouse icon.
Not so.
She spent 8 long years between passing ACA & flashing her shades at Trump.
It was a formative time, a struggle that tested the caucus. And she became better as Speaker 2.0
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Not so.
She spent 8 long years between passing ACA & flashing her shades at Trump.
It was a formative time, a struggle that tested the caucus. And she became better as Speaker 2.0
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | How Pelosi got her groove back: Fighting with Trump
The Democrat spent eight years in the wilderness of House minority, but her Trump clashes returned her to icon status.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The internet version of @pelosi.house.gov is she was always a powerhouse icon.
Not so.
She spent 8 long years between passing ACA & flashing her shades at Trump.
It was a formative time, a struggle that tested the caucus. And she became better as Speaker 2.0
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Not so.
She spent 8 long years between passing ACA & flashing her shades at Trump.
It was a formative time, a struggle that tested the caucus. And she became better as Speaker 2.0
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Yup. A judge can swear @adelitaforcongress.bsky.social in to Congress. But Congress first has to vote to allow it to happen. Click thru hear and watch Grijalva explain it in a nice smart, concise video.
Today, I learned from @pkcapitol.bsky.social that a federal judge can swear in a Representative, but it still requires an act of Congress to authorize them to do so.
s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...
Speaker Johnson continues to keep the House out of session during the longest shutdown ever.
s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...
Speaker Johnson continues to keep the House out of session during the longest shutdown ever.
The 7: Why Arizona is missing a member of Congress — your questions, answered
s2.washingtonpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Yup. A judge can swear @adelitaforcongress.bsky.social in to Congress. But Congress first has to vote to allow it to happen. Click thru hear and watch Grijalva explain it in a nice smart, concise video.