Whether you’re staying in D.C. or traveling, I hope you enjoy the holidays and have a Happy New Year!
Word on the Hill will be on a break until Jan. 3, 2017.
But, as usual, send any tips and pitches to me at alexgangitano@rollcall.com with items you might come across during the break.
Kaheem, a 5-year-old from Owings Mills, Md., who is battling leukemia, will visit the Capitol today as a superhero. With the help of Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, he’ll be “on a mission to restore our capital city’s spirit,” according to a news release from House Speaker Paul D. Ryan’s office. Kaheem is set to make several stops along the complex, including teaming up with Capitol Police to take on a mission in Ryan’s office.
-7 degrees in Bismarck doesn't stop these great volunteers & me from helping load up food boxes for local seniors in need pic.twitter.com/XP5G551xd8
Just another afternoon in Helena helping a fellow Montanan. pic.twitter.com/OLX0vXoHFD
If your boss is doing something interesting, different or fun over recess, let us know. We would love to feature it in HOH.
Minority Leader Harry Reid’s deputy chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, is joining the Center for American Progress Action Fund to lead an anti- President-elect Donald Trump effort.
Katie Allen has been promoted from senior director of government affairs to executive director at the Council for Affordable Health Coverage.
“This isn't cold.”
— Ryan on current Washington weather, noting that it’s going to be 19 degrees below zero in Janesville, Wis., this weekend. (With all due respect, Mr. Speaker, yes, this is cold.)“We play rugby; they play golf.”
— Ryan, describing the pace difference between the House and the Senate.
“Note to women, if you're going to do a sit-in, don't wear a short pencil skirt.”
— Rep. Elizabeth Esty at a gun violence news conference, recounting the House Democrats’ sit-in in June.
“I knew there was no gavel here to shut up my colleagues.”
— D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, explaining why she decided to sit down during a lengthy news conference.
Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-N.J., 58.
Saturday
Rep. Steve Knight, R-Calif., 50.
Rep. Rick Nolan, D-Minn., 73.
Sunday
Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla., 69.
Next two weeks
12/19: Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, 61, and Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., 46.
12/21: Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., 69.
12/22: Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, 46, and Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., 53.
12/23: Rep. Michael C. Burgess, R-Texas., 66, and Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, 64.
12/24: Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas, 67, and and Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., turns the big 7-0!
No Christmas birthdays in the 114th Congress!
12/27: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., 56.
12/28: Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., 72, and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., turns the bigger 8-0!
12/30: Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., 56, and Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., 53.
New Year’s Eve birthdays: Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., 54, and Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Ky., 79.
New Year’s Day birthdays: Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., 63, Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., 43, and Rep. Terri A. Sewell, D-Ala., 52.
Have any tips, announcements or Hill happenings? Send them to AlexGangitano@cqrollcall.comLindsey McPherson and Bridget Bowman contributed to this report.
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Around 55 members of Congress will be leaving the Hill for good (at least for now) at the end of 2016. They include the longest-serving woman in congressional history, two former Peace Corps volunteers and a senator whose race came down to 1,011 votes. Here are some notable facts about just some of these soon-to-be former lawmakers.