It was great to be back on Capitol Hill this week. As usual, the atmosphere was energetic and a bit chaotic. Votes that typically begin on Monday—or at least Tuesday night—didn’t start until Wednesday afternoon. The weekly schedule, and really the entire year’s calendar, is shaped by the Speaker’s Office regardless of which party holds the majority.
The delayed start likely stemmed from the many elections taking place across the country. Several Republicans lost their bids for re-election in both the House and Senate. Among the notable defeats were Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. In many races, President Trump’s endorsement proved decisive.
After arriving in Washington on Tuesday afternoon, I began making visits to offices on both sides of the aisle. While I come to Capitol Hill to pray for those who serve there, the tables quickly turned. A staffer from a Utah office offered a beautiful prayer for me, and soon after, a representative from Alabama did the same. Their kindness meant a great deal.
As I entered the office of a Democratic representative, he immediately asked where I had been singing lately. Then, as he headed out, he turned to his scheduler and asked, “Where am I going next?” Schedulers truly are the gatekeepers in these offices—they manage tightly packed calendars and often control the flow of a member’s day.
Walking the House and Senate hallways is always fascinating. Offices of members from opposite sides of the political spectrum are sometimes right next to each other, leading to interesting hallway encounters as representatives and senators come and go. Office assignments are based on seniority and personal preference. Some members choose locations near key hearing rooms, while others prioritize offices with strong views.
I was once again joined by my good friend Cary Schmidt, who pastors a church in Connecticut. The flight to DCA is just over an hour, making it an easy trip. Cary walks with me, carries my backpack full of notes, and engages warmly with members and staff. He plans to join me several more times this year and will also speak at our Capitol Worship service.
On Wednesday morning, Cary and I visited offices in the Longworth and Rayburn buildings, as well as leadership offices in the Capitol. We were also able to capture a photo on the Speaker’s balcony before enjoying lunch with former Congressman Gregg Harper in the Senate Dining Room.
Gregg represented a Mississippi district for ten years and now works in the private sector. He recently joined the Amerson Ministries Board of Directors, bringing valuable insight into how things work on the Hill. He is a strong addition to our team.
While in the dining room, we couldn’t help noticing high-profile guests: actor Noah Wyle in one corner and California Governor Gavin Newsom dining with a senator on the other side of the room. You never know who you’ll see on Capitol Hill.
As Cary and I moved through the hallways, we had countless meaningful conversations and opportunities for prayer. One especially touching moment came when a representative from Georgia put his arm around me, pulled me in close, and thanked me for my presence on the Hill.
The mood on the Hill was noticeably tense. The Senate was wrestling with multiple issues, including the ongoing challenge of fully funding homeland security. These measures needed Senate approval before heading to the House. Although the House had planned to wrap up and leave on Thursday, there was talk that members might have to stay through part of the weekend—right before Memorial Day.
I had hoped to meet with one specific representative to discuss several items during this trip, but our schedules didn’t align. That’s fairly typical on Capitol Hill.
He had planned to introduce a bill on the House floor, only to see it cancelled and then rescheduled multiple times. Legislative work there often feels like a strategic game of chess—one piece of legislation is frequently dependent on the progress of another. It’s not uncommon for constituents or advocates to travel to Washington only to find that key meetings can’t happen. Flexibility is essential.
The House was waiting to see whether certain legislation would pass in the Senate, with even a possibility of members being asked to stay through the weekend. In the end, both chambers were unable to reach agreement and have now recessed until June.
My work on Capitol Hill often reminds me of my father, who served as a pastor. Much of his time was spent visiting hospitals, making house calls, and simply being present with people. A key people skill I’ve learned is to ask others about themselves. Everyone has a story.
In one closed-door meeting, a representative opened up about both of his sisters who are battling cancer and the unique pressures of life on the Hill. We shared a meaningful time of prayer.
Late Wednesday afternoon, Cary and I sat in a quiet basement hallway with a dear friend who works on Capitol Hill. She bravely shared the deep grief of losing her mom in January and her husband unexpectedly in March.
That evening, we returned to the Capitol for our weekly worship service in Room 120. Cary spoke, and I led worship and sang. It was a powerful, intimate time with a small group of believers gathered in the heart of our nation’s government.
As the day ended, Cary remarked how extraordinary it had been—filled with encounters too varied and meaningful to fully describe. In a single day we had ministered to people of great influence and to the “regular” staff who keep the Hill running. And we had the privilege of worshiping the King of Kings in the very halls where our government leaders walk.
I will return to Capitol Hill in a few weeks to continue this calling as an encourager in the halls of government.
Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and prayers.
Steve