Congress Accountability Editor

The Wall Street Journal•Washington, DC

4d•$150,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Wall Street Journal is seeking an experienced, ambitious, and energetic editor to join our Washington bureau as Congressional Accountability Editor. Congress has changed dramatically in recent years, becoming less productive, more conflicted, and more opaque. Our coverage will seek to bring our readers closer to this massive change, explaining the characters driving it and the implications of it. As Congressional Accountability Editor, you will lead a team of reporters unearthing the conflicts and hidden agendas motivating the legislative branch. We want to understand what - and who - is really driving the House and Senate in 2026 and beyond. Reporting directly to the Politics Editor, you will be responsible for ensuring our congressional coverage meets the highest standards of reporting and editing. The ideal candidate can prioritize high-impact journalism, working with reporters to dominate the most significant news while relentlessly digging into member misconduct, improper spending, and systemic corruption.

Requirements

A mastery of narrative structure and the ability to turn chaotic legislative maneuvers and dense policy fights into clear, compelling, and punchy prose.
A proven track record of editing or reporting high-impact accountability journalism, with the courage and legal acumen required to pursue sensitive misconduct and corruption stories.
A deep, nuanced understanding of congressional procedures, committee structures, the budget process, and the ins and outs of both political parties.
Impeccable journalistic judgment and the ability to exercise it calmly under intense, fast-breaking deadline pressure.
A minimum of 4 years of high-level journalism experience, with a significant portion dedicated to covering, editing, or investigating Capitol Hill or federal politics.

Responsibilities

Oversee the daily news flow on Capitol Hill, ensuring the Journal delivers fast, accurate, and indispensable reporting on the House, the Senate, and the leadership battles that shape American policy.
Help shape our election coverage, ensuring reporters are focused on the most important candidates and campaign issues.
Spearhead deep-dive investigations into congressional ethics, misconduct scandals, financial improprieties, and the institutional gridlock paralyzing the Hill.
Edit and mentor a seasoned team of reporters, providing sharp guidance on narrative structure, investigative techniques, and source development.
Work closely with other senior editors in Washington, New York, and across the corporate/financial teams to connect the dots between legislative maneuvering, political influence, and its impact on business and society.
Champion creative storytelling formats and utilize digital-publishing tools, data visualization, and graphics to make complex legislative policy and investigations engaging for a sophisticated global audience.