The 119th Congress has been defined by brutal floor fights, razor-thin negotiations, and a steady drumbeat of ethics controversies. Lawmakers grabbed the headlines, but the machinery of Capitol Hill runs on the work of staffers who draft the bills, broker the deals, and keep the trains running on time.
This year's list of 25 notable staffers highlights those behind the scenes—from the legislative director who authored the Epstein Files Transparency Act to the Ethics Committee staff director policing conduct in the House. They are the ones who turned partisan demands into legislative text, managed fragile coalitions, and shaped the messages that dominated the news cycle.
The Power Brokers in Leadership Suites
In the Senate, John Chapuis serves as deputy staff director for Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), playing a key role in whipping votes on contentious nominations and budget reconciliation. On the Democratic side, Raymond O'Mara, policy director for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), has been the intellectual engine behind the minority's messaging on taxes and the debt ceiling. David Popp, a senior adviser to former Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), continues to influence judicial strategy and foreign policy from his perch, even as McConnell steps back from leadership.
In the House, Chris Bien, deputy chief of staff to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), manages the speaker's schedule and policy priorities, while Alyssa Erdel, deputy chief of staff for the House Republican Conference, coordinates messaging across the conference. Zach Barnes, executive director of the House Freedom Caucus, has become a central figure in pushing the conference to the right, often clashing with leadership over spending and immigration.
Policy Wonks and Committee Architects
Several staffers have been instrumental in drafting high-profile legislation. Rubi Flores, policy director for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, has shaped immigration and labor provisions in must-pass bills. Wyndee Parker, national security adviser to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), has been the point person on Ukraine aid and intelligence oversight. Kamela White, Democratic clerk on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, has managed the delicate balance between border security funding and civil liberties.
On the Judiciary side, Nelly Decker, communications director for House Judiciary Committee Democrats, has been the voice pushing back on executive overreach, while AJ Swinson, coalitions and outreach director for the House Judiciary Committee, has worked with outside groups to build support for criminal justice reform. Chris Land, staff director for the Senate Banking subcommittee on digital assets, has been at the center of the crypto regulatory debate, trying to craft rules that satisfy both industry and consumer advocates.
Ethics and Oversight: The Watchdogs
Tom Rust, chief counsel and staff director for the House Ethics Committee, has had one of the toughest jobs in Congress, overseeing investigations into member misconduct. His counterpart on the Senate side, Carly Rush, chief counsel for Senate Appropriations Democrats, has been a key player in oversight of federal spending. Andrew Bower, deputy staff director for House Oversight Committee Democrats, has led investigations into the administration's handling of classified documents and alleged political interference.
The spotlight has also fallen on security issues. Omar Hossino, chief counsel and national security adviser for the House Republican Policy Committee, has been a leading voice on China and biodefense, echoing concerns about the fragility of US bio-defenses that remain a top issue. Meanwhile, Jessica Hayes, senior adviser in district for Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), has been instrumental in organizing grassroots support for Second Amendment and border security initiatives.
The Strategists and Communicators
Communications directors have shaped the public narrative. Christiana Stephenson, communications director for House Minority Leader Jeffries, has crafted the Democratic response to Republican investigations. Julia Bartusek, executive director of the House Democratic Women's Caucus, has coordinated messaging on reproductive rights and paid leave. Marcus Towns, member services director for House Appropriations Republicans, has kept GOP members informed on spending bills and earmarks.
On the health care front, Carrie Hughes, health and human services director for the House Education and the Workforce Committee, has worked on drug pricing and mental health legislation, issues that resonate with voters. Leah Hill, legislative director for Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), has been behind his push for economic justice and criminal justice reform, a path that has been chronicled from her early days in politics.
Finally, the list includes rising stars like Raphaël Schreiber, legislative director for Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), known for his libertarian streak, and Alison MacDonald, chief of staff for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who has been a steady hand on foreign affairs and small business issues. These staffers, often working 14-hour days, are the ones who make Congress function—even when it seems anything but functional.
