Floor Action Reporter / BillTrack Researcher

FiscalNote•Washington, DC

10d•$65,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

This position will work with other members of the Legislative Action Team to ensure that CQ’s legislative data and coverage of live House and Senate floor as well as committee markups and member information is thorough and up-to-date. Floor Action Reporters produce fast, concise and comprehensive descriptions of the policies that take shape on the chamber floors and assist with the publication and maintenance of various CQ.com databases and written content. Reporters on the team cover House and Senate action gavel-to-gavel and must be available to work from the press gallery office spaces within the U.S. Capitol building for work hours largely decided by the congressional schedule. Reporters also write spot news stories and occasional longer-form enterprise as time permits.

Requirements

1+ year of research or writing experience, preferably in a political or policy-focused capacity; equivalent experience on Capitol Hill; or equivalent experience in journalism, whether as a researcher, reporter or copy editor.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Strong interest in policy, politics and/or procedure.
The ability to read and summarize legislation and amendments, drawing relevant context from the U.S. Code and reliable sources.
Ability to write objectively about legislative proposals.
Experience with large amounts of data entry, proofing and related research.
Strong attention to detail and good organizational abilities.
The ability to work a schedule that largely mirrors the House and Senate daily/weekly hours of operation.
The ability to meet strict deadlines.
Familiarity with congressional operations and the policy-making process.
The ability to develop sources, exhibit news judgement, gather information and process content consistently with CQ Roll Call’s editorial style and standards.

Nice To Haves

Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to work under pressure and meet firm deadlines
Understanding of the legislative process
Detail-oriented
Strong writing skills
Knowledge of Capitol Hill and the legislative process
Can analyze legislative proposals on a variety of issues
Ability to facilitate relationships with congressional staff
Work in a high-paced environment under tight deadlines

Responsibilities

Track every action on the House or Senate floor as it happens, providing complete, timely coverage and precise descriptions of both the policy and legislative procedure involved at the time, within set deadlines and in accordance with CQ Roll Call and Associated Press editorial style standards.
Read, summarize and analyze bill text and floor actions; prepare impartial, fact-based summaries of all measures and amendments subject to floor activity for publication or internal newsroom circulation.
Backstop and/or collaborate with team members and others in the newsroom to provide detailed and informative analysis of congressional committee actions.
Quickly and accurately collect and process legislative data, text, bill information and other related information as assigned by your editor.