Name: The Hill's Notable Staffer List 2026
Start: 2026-09-17T18:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-09-17T21:00:00-04:00
Location: American Petroleum Institute

Meet The 2026 Notable Staffers

NOW LIVE: The 25 notable Capitol Hill staffers for 2026

About the Event

07

/

16

/

2025

8:00am

-

5:00pm

The Hill’s fourth annual Notable Staffers project is a bipartisan list showcasing some of the most hard-working and influential Congressional staffers on Capitol Hill.

More than 12,000 staffers in the House and Senate are the linchpins keeping Congress running year-in and year-out. They're the unseen aides writing legislation on a host of policy matters, communicating with stakeholders and handling constituent services.

Join us for a special cocktail reception on Sept. 17 honoring the 2026 class of The Hill's Notable Staffers. The evening will include a panel discussion with members of Congress on the importance of staffers in the 119th Congress.

REQUEST TO ATTEND

Speakers

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)

Chair, Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee

Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA)

Ranking Member, House Education & Workforce Committee

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

Chair, Senate Democratic Strategic Communications Committee

Will Dunham

President & CEO, American Investment Council (AIC)

Mike Sommers

President & CEO, API

Agenda

6:00 PM ET - 6:30 PM ET

Registration and Networking

6:30 PM ET

Class Photo: The Hill's Notable Staffers of 2025

6:35 PM ET - 7:15 PM ET

Short Program & Panel

- Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Senate Majority Whip
- Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Member, House Appropriations Committee
- Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Member, House Ways & Means Committee
- Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Member, House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
- Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee
 - Rep. James Comer (R-KY), Chair, House Oversight & Accountability Committee

In conversation with Julia Manchester, National Political Reporter, The Hill 

7:20 pm ET

Cocktail Reception

9:00 pm ET

Event Concludes

Agenda

6:00 PM ET - 6:30 PM ET

Registration & Networking

Registration begins at 8:00 AM ET, followed by a networking breakfast for all delegates.

Ballroom Lobby & Grand Ballroom

6:30 PM ET

Class Photo

9:00AM ET

Dr. Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner in conversation with Leland Vittert, Chief Washington Anchor, NewsNation

9:20 AM ET
Peter Navarro, White House Senior Counselor, Trade & Manufacturing in conversation with Blake Burman, Chief Washington Correspondent, NewsNation

9:40 AM ET
Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), Chair, House Republican Policy Committee in conversation with Joe Khalil, Congressional Reporter, NewsNation

9:55 AM ET
Rep. John James (R-MI), Candidate for Michigan Governor in conversation with Mychael Schnell, Congressional Reporter, The Hill

10:10 AM ET
Bo Hines, Executive Director, White House Council on Digital Assets in conversation with Alex Gangitano, White House Reporter, The Hill

10:25AM ET
Fred Thiel, Chairman & CEO, MARA provides sponsor remarks before the networking break

Grand Ballroom

10:30 AM ET - 10:45 AM ET

Networking Coffee/Tea Break

Please join us for a short coffee/tea break proudly sponsored by MARA

Ballroom Lobby & The Library Lounge

10:45 AM ET - 12:00 PM ET

Morning Session Continues

10:45 AM ET

Kathy Warden, CEO, Northrop Grumman in conversation with Julia Manchester, National Political Reporter, The Hill

11:00 AM ET
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Co-Chair, House Bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in conversation with Raquel Martin, Washington DC Correspondent, Nexstar Media Group

11:15 AM ET

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Vice Chair, House Ways & Means Committee in conversation with Kellie Meyer, Washington Correspondent, NewsNation

11:30 AM ET
Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Chair, House Budget Committee in conversation with Mike Viqueira, Washington Bureau Chief, NewsNation

12:00 PM ET

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senior Member, Senate Judiciary Committee in conversation with Alex Bolten, Senate Reporter, The Hill

Grand Ballroom

12:15 PM ET - 12:45PM ET

Networking Lunch

Please join all delegates and speakers for networking over lunch

Ballroom Lobby, Grand Ballroom & The Library Lounge

12:45 PM ET - 2:45 PM ET

Afternoon Session Begins

12:45 PM ET

David Hogg, Gun Safety Advocate; Co-Founder & President, Leaders We Deserve & Co-Founder, March for Our Lives in conversation with Julia Manchester, National Political Reporter, The Hill

1:00 PM ET

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Chair, House Judiciary Committee in conversation with Chris Stirewalt, Political Editor, NewsNation

1:15 PM ET
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chair, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in conversation with Leland Vittert, Chief Washington Anchor, NewsNation

1:30 PM ET
Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), Chair, House Republican Conference in conversation with Mychael Schnell, Congressional Reporter, The Hill

1:45 PM ET
Kevin McCarthy, Former Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives; Chair, ALFA Institute in conversation with Emily Brooks, Congressional Reporter, The Hill

2:00 PM ET
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives in conversation with Emily Brooks, Congressional Reporter, The Hill

Grand Ballroom

2:30 PM ET - 3:00 PM ET

Afternoon Tea Break

Please join us for a short break to stretch your legs, or get a free book from The Library Lounge if you haven't already.

Ballroom Lobby & The Library Lounge

3:00 PM ET - 4:15 PM ET

Closing Session Begins

3:00 PM ET
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Vice Chair, Congressional Progressive Caucus in conversation with Chris Cillizza, Contributor, NewsNation

3:15 PM ET
Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Member, House Appropriations Committee in conversation with Kellie Meyer, Washington Correspondent, NewsNation

3:30 PM ET

Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), Ranking Member, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in conversation with Chris Stirewalt, Political Editor, NewsNation

3:45 PM ET
Kristi Noem, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security in conversation with Blake Burman, Chief Washington Correspondent, NewsNation

Grand Ballroom

4:15PM ET - 5:30 PM ET

Closing Reception

Please join us for a cocktail reception to cap off the inaugural Hill Nation Summit.

Ballroom Lobby & The Library Lounge

Event Themes

Balance of Power

Checks and balances, DOGE and courts, immigration and states' rights. The balance of power is being tested daily throughout the nation. What does it mean for the mid-terms and the future of politics?

Navigating the New Agenda

Policy and politics are moving faster than ever before to align with Trump’s second term goals. How will policymakers, businesses and advocates navigate this new agenda?

Rough Trade

The will they, won't they dynamic playing out in the global trade ecosystem has dominated headlines since the start of President Trump's second term. Where will tariffs stand just ahead of the summer recess?

Changing the Tax Code

Revamping the tax system to eliminate income taxes for most Americans sounds promising, but will it pass? And will tariffs be the new backbone of funding the U.S. government?

A Good Defense

A TV personality and billionaire investor are perched as the top two policymakers at the Pentagon. Where does the U.S. stand in terms of American competitiveness? Where is it racing ahead and where is it falling behind? How will the Pentagon’s bureaucratic rules for buying weapons and other equipment be transformed?

Trump's Golden Age Economy

Storm clouds are forming on the U.S. economy as fears of an economic slowdown rise. Six months into the President's term, will the strategy spell relief or recession?

Getting Up to Speed

Energy, housing, health care, technology, manufacturing and more - massive industries shifting in uncertain times. What is the outlook for doing business in America and with America?

Advisory Board

Tom Daschle

Founder & CEO, The Daschle Group; Former Senate Majority & Minority Leader (D-SD)

Dr. Larry Bucshon

Senior Policy Advisor, Holland & Knight; Former U.S. Representative (R-IN)

Cheri Bustos

Partner & Co-Chair, Mercury Public Affairs; Former U.S. Representative (D-IL)

Thomas McMillen

Board Member, Nexstar Media; Former U.S. Representative (D-MD)

Trent Lott

Director & Senior Fellow, Crossroads Strategies; Former Senate Majority & Minority Leader (R-MS)

Nicole Elam

President & CEO, National Bankers Association

Alex Conant

Co-Founder & Partner, Firehouse Strategies

Michael Ricci

Partner, Seven Letter

Hosts

Julia Manchester

White House Reporter, The Hill

Bill Sammon

SVP- Editorial Content, The Hill

Proudly Sponsored by:

American Petroleum Institute

The American Petroleum Institute (API) represents every segment of America’s natural gas and oil industry, whose work helps power the U.S. economy, strengthen America’s energy security and support millions of jobs across the country.

American Investment Council

The American Investment Council (AIC) is an advocacy and resource organization established to develop and provide information about the private investment industry and its contributions to the long-term growth of the U.S. economy.

America's Credit Unions

America's Credit Unions is the unified voice for not-for-profit credit unions, representing more than 95% of the industry's assets and their more than 146 million members nationwide.

Venue

Apella at Alexandria Center is New York City’s leader in innovative meeting and event space. Apella offers 10 thoughtfully designed private rooms, all with contemporary interiors and state-of-the-art technology, and many with expansive East River views.

Agenda

8:00aM ET - 9:00 AM ET

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Registration begins at 8:00 AM ET, followed by a networking breakfast for all delegates.

Ballroom Lobby & Grand Ballroom

9:00AM ET - 10:30AM ET

Morning Session

9:00AM ET

Dr. Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner in conversation with Leland Vittert, Chief Washington Anchor, NewsNation

9:20 AM ET
Peter Navarro, White House Senior Counselor, Trade & Manufacturing in conversation with Blake Burman, Host "The Hill", NewsNation

9:40 AM ET
Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), Chair, House Republican Policy Committee in conversation with Joe Khalil, Congressional Reporter, NewsNation

9:55 AM ET
Rep. John James (R-MI), Candidate for Michigan Governor in conversation with Mychael Schnell, Congressional Reporter, The Hill

10:10 AM ET
Kristi Noem, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security in conversation with Blake Burman, Chief Washington Correspondent, NewsNation

10:25AM ET
Fred Thiel, Chairman & CEO, MARA provides sponsor remarks before the networking break

Grand Ballroom

10:30 AM ET - 10:45 AM ET

Networking Coffee/Tea Break

Please join us for a short coffee/tea break proudly sponsored by MARA

Ballroom Lobby & The Library Lounge

12:15 PM ET - 12:45PM ET

Networking Lunch

Please join all delegates and speakers for networking over lunch

Ballroom Lobby, Grand Ballroom & The Library Lounge

1:00 PM ET - 2:45 PM ET

Afternoon Session Begins

12:50 PM ET

David Hogg, Gun Safety Advocate; Co-Founder & President, Leaders We Deserve & Co-Founder, March for Our Lives in conversation with Julia Manchester, National Political Reporter, The Hill

1:15 PM ET
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chair, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in conversation with Leland Vittert, Chief Washington Anchor, NewsNation

1:40 PM ET
Kevin McCarthy, Former Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives; Chair, ALFA Institute in conversation with Emily Brooks, Congressional Reporter, The Hill

1:55 PM ET

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Chair, House Judiciary Committee in conversation with Chris Stirewalt, Political Editor, NewsNation

2:15 PM ET

Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), Ranking Member, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in conversation with Chris Stirewalt, Political Editor, NewsNation

2:40 PM ET

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Member, House Financial Services Committee in conversation with Mychael Schnell, Congressional Reporter, The Hill

3:00 PM ET
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Vice Chair, Congressional Progressive Caucus in conversation with Chris Cillizza, Contributor, NewsNation

3:15 PM ET
Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Member, House Appropriations Committee in conversation with Kellie Meyer, Washington Correspondent, NewsNation

Grand Ballroom

3:40PM ET - 5:00 PM ET

Closing Reception

Please join us for a cocktail reception to cap off the inaugural Hill Nation Summit.

Ballroom Lobby & The Library Lounge