About Us
About Us
Who We Are
The Senate Press Gallery in the U.S. Capitol is home to journalists who cover the U.S. Senate. More than 1,500 correspondents hold the press credential that grants access to the gallery and the rest of the Capitol complex. At any given time, as many as 100 correspondents work in the offices adjacent to the viewing gallery inside the Senate chamber.
The five members of the Standing Committee of Correspondents supervise the gallery’s operations, uphold its rules and approve applications for credentials to cover both houses of Congress. Standing Committee members are elected to 2-year terms by credentialed reporters.
A professional staff of seven assists correspondents and administers the gallery’s work.
Gallery Staff
Director: Laura Reed
Deputy Director: Chris Bois
Senior Media Relations Coordinator: Amy Gross
Senior Media Relations Coordinator: Kristyn Socknat
Media Relations Coordinator: Samantha Hulley
Media Relations Coordinator: Kate Leavitt
What We Do
Access & Assistance
The Senate Press Gallery staff assist correspondents generally and maintain their access to Senate proceedings. The gallery includes the press seats that overlook the Senate floor and the surrounding offices where reporters work. Gallery staff track floor action, tally votes and coordinate coverage of Senate news conferences and hearings. Staff are available to answer questions at the gallery desk and by telephone or e-mail.
Credentials
The Senate gallery handles accreditation for daily newspapers, wire services and electronic news organizations that cover both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
National Political Conventions & Presidential Inaugural
Every four years, the Standing Committee of Correspondents and the gallery staff oversee press arrangements – including accreditation — for the national political conventions and the presidential inaugural ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
The gallery also coordinates coverage of other special events.
Hours of Operation
The Senate Press Gallery, located in Room S-316 of the Capitol, is open Monday through Friday and on weekends if the Senate is in session. During sessions, gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – or until the Senate adjourns, whichever is later. During recess periods, the gallery is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Telephone
The main number for staff and for correspondents who work at the gallery is (202) 224-0241. Reporters can be paged or have messages left at that extension. After-hours recordings about Senate schedules and floor action are available at the Democratic Cloakroom — (202) 224-8541 – and the Republican Cloakroom — (202) 224-8601.