Washington

Located on Capitol Hill, the CNS Washington bureau has more reporters dedicated to covering the federal government’s impact on Maryland than any other news organization in the state.

Senate impeachment trial opens with fight over rules, but GOP prevails

WASHINGTON – The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump started Tuesday with partisan fighting over the rules governing the proceedings. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell insisted he was following historical precedent, while Democrats argued that the Republicans were furthering…

Harpers Ferry rock climbers worry closures could set precedent for future access

HARPERS FERRY, West Virginia – “This is not how the Park Service is supposed to work.” That’s according to Eric Murdock, policy director for the Access Fund, a rock climbing advocacy organization that has worked with land managers all over…

Washington Bullpen podcast: “I had to stand up” – Politics and sports in the nation’s capital

GAITHERSBURG, Maryland — Ray Schoenke remembers driving through the night from Cleveland to Maryland to make it in time for the practice for Washington’s NFL team in the morning. It was 1966, and he had just been cut from the…

Equal Rights Amendment may be near ratification, but must overcome old deadline

WASHINGTON – The Equal Rights Amendment may be close to ratification following Democratic wins in Virginia’s House and Senate and proposed House and Senate resolutions to remove the ratification deadline. The ERA would guarantee equal constitutional rights to a person…

Election Guide: Meet field of 32 candidates seeking Rep. Elijah Cummings’ seat

WASHINGTON — Nearly two months after Rep. Elijah Cummings’ death, 32 candidates — including his widow, a former staffer, and several state lawmakers — are competing in the packed race to fill his seat.   The longtime Baltimore congressman died Oct.…

Steny Hoyer sees experience as his advantage

GREENBELT, Maryland – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Mechanicsville, doesn’t seem especially concerned about his reelection next year. “My strategy for reelection is to continue to do a job everyday that people will see and appreciate,” he told Capital News…

It’s all happening at the zoo – at night during the holidays

WASHINGTON – Each holiday season since 2007, after the animals go to sleep, the rest of the Smithsonian National Zoo comes to life as a colorful winter wonderland.  More than half a million LED lights are transforming the zoo’s grounds…

Smithsonian’s chief says more museums must wait, maintenance is top priority

WASHINGTON – As the public demand for new museums increases, the Smithsonian Institution’s chief says his top priority is getting on top of a huge maintenance backlog at the world’s largest museum and research complex before he considers expanding.  Smithsonian…

This year’s White House ornament marks first presidential helicopter ride

WASHINGTON – This year’s White House Historical Association’s 39th official White House Christmas ornament honors a precedent that, to later generations of Americans, became routine. That precedent was a president of the United States riding in a helicopter. The first…

House Judiciary Committee opens next impeachment phase with rancor, legal debate

WASHINGTON – Three constitutional lawyers characterized President Donald Trump’s actions toward Ukraine as a serious abuse of power that constitutes high crimes and misdemeanors during impeachment hearings Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee. “When President Trump invited – indeed, demanded…