The Best & Worst of Congress 2014

 

We asked staffers what they really think of their Hill bosses. Here are the results of our 15th biennial survey.
 
Politicians often praise the resilience of the American people in dark times, exhorting us to show the sort of spirit that makes us so indomitable a nation. No group, however, is more stalwart than America’s representatives themselves.

Despite approval ratings lower than Vladimir Putin’s, the men and women of the 113th Congress have continued to debate, investigate, raise funds, and campaign with ebullience. Seeing as little if any legislation arises from their activities, it’s apparent that if there are winners and losers, hits and misses, the average citizen isn’t privy to the scorecard.

Since 1986, Washingtonian has sought the help of congressional aides in understanding their bosses. Every two years, before lawmakers and their staffs head off for August recess to start the election season in earnest, we send an extensive survey asking for the best and worst performers in a host of categories designed to get past the headlines and TV-news zingers to capture the true culture of Capitol Hill.

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