WASHINGTON (WDRB) — WDRB News anchor and reporter Monica Harkins and photojournalist Frank Stamper traveled to Washington for the first week of the 118th Congress.
With the speaker vote in the United States House, the game plan was up in the air. Below is a behind-the-scenes viewpoint of what went into the coverage from Capitol Hill”
The team started the drive at 4:45 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2, and celebrated getting to D.C. with lobster rolls. The rest of the evening was spent scoping out a plan for Tuesday morning and shooting reporter intros and outros for WDRB News.
On Tuesday, Kentucky Rep. Morgan McGarvey welcomed the team to his office for the first interview in the space. He got the keys for the first time that morning. In his office, you’ll find photos of his family and plenty of Louisville memorabilia, like Louisville Slugger Bats, bourbon barrel lids and bottles of bourbon.
McGarvey showed WDRB News around his new space and talked about his priorities as the lone Democrat in Congress from Kentucky.
While the House had the speaker vote to get to before it could move on to any work, the Senate was proceeding on schedule.
Busy US Capitol shot.jpg
The United State Capitol on the first day of the 118th Congress, January 3, 2023.
DC bound.jpg
WDRB News’ photojournalist Frank Stamper and reporter Monica Harkins travel from Louisville to Washington, D.C. Monday, January 2, 2023 for the beginning of the 118th Congress.
Lobster roll and camera.jpg
WDRB News crew enjoys East Coast lobster rolls on a lunch break.
Frank camera set up Monday nighgt.jpg
WDRB’s photojournalist Frank Stamper sets up a Monday night camera set up.
night time capitol.jpg
WDRB News set up a camera shot showing the U.S. Capitol dome Monday, January 2.
Monday night Monica Capitol in background.jpg
WDRB’s Monica Harkins poses for a photo after recording a reporter package with the U.S. Capitol dome in the background.
Capitol close.jpg
Tuesday morning, WDRB News crew begins reporting from the U.S. Capitol at 9 a.m. for the first day of the 118th Congress.
Longworth side.jpg
Many of the U.S. House of Representatives have their offices in the Longworth building pictured here.
Morgan McGarvey name plate.jpg
Freshman Congress members get the keys to their new offices Tuesday, Jan. 3. 2024. Pictured here is the name plate for Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky.
Frank Stamper and Rep. McGarvey.jpg
WDRB’s Frank Stamper captures Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky, as he walks into his office for the first time.
McGarvey two shot.jpg
WDRB News is the first crew to interview Rep. Morgan McGarvey in his office in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
McGarvey picture and UK bourbon.jpg
U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey displays a photo of him and his family in the Kentucky Senate Chambers.
Rep. McGarvey wall.jpg
U.S. Congressmen Morgan McGarvey displays a bourbon barrel lid from the Kentucky Distillers’ Association in his new office on Capitol Hill.
Bourbon display in Rep. Morgan McGarvey’s office.jpg
Rep. Morgan McGarvey displays some bourbon in the front room of his new D.C. office.
Longworth building.jpg
Many of the U.S. House of Representatives have their offices in the Longworth building pictured here.
House Republican party sign.jpg
This sign was seen Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 outside the U.S. Capitol and says the U.S. House is ‘under new management’ and ‘fully open.’ But, ironically, the Republican party took four days of voting on the House Speaker.
Capitol side shot w security.jpg
Side view of the U.S. Capitol.
Capitol fish eye.jpg
Capitol view from a designated media live shot spot outside.
Dome in capitol.jpg
Photo inside the U.S. Capitol dome.
Video shows the inside of the U.S. Capitol dome.
view outside the capitol.jpg
View of the Washington Monument from inside the U.S. Capitol.
Sen. Mitch McConnell handshake.jpg
WDRB’s Monica Harkins secures an exclusive one-on-one interview with Kentucky’s Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Sen. McConnell two shot.jpg
WDRB’s Monica Harkins and photojournalist Frank Stamper secure an exclusive one-on-one interview with Kentucky’s Sen. Mitch McConnell in his leadership office.
McConnell and Monica two shot.jpg
WDRB’s Monica Harkins secures an exclusive one-on-one interview with Kentucky’s Sen. Mitch McConnell on the day he makes history as longest serving party leader in the U.S. Senate.
McConnell campaign wall.jpg
In Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell’s leadership office you can see a wall decorated with old campaign posters. Including a poster when he ran with former Congressmen John Yarmuth, who at the time was running as a Republican.
McConnell close up.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell uses old campaign posters as decor in his leadership office.
Sen. Mitch McConnell.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell sits with WDRB News for an exclusive one-on-one interview the day he makes history as longest party leader in the U.S. Senate, Jan. 3, 2023.
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has two offices. This video shows his leadership office in the U.S. Capitol.
This video shows some of the pictures and decor displayed in the room Sen. McConnell uses for meetings and interviews in the U.S. Capitol.
McConnell seat of Ky Senators.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays photos of all the senators before him.
The predecessors to Ky Senator Mitch McConnell
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays photos of all the senators before him.
Close up of Ky senators plaque.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays photos of all the senators before him this is a close up of the text displayed.
view of the Washington Monument from inside the Capitol.jpg
This is the view from a window in the House’s media room.
Monica outside capitol.jpg
WDRB’s Monica Harkins prepares for an afternoon live shot on the first day of the voting process for the U.S. Speaker of the House Jan. 3, 2023.
WDRB’s Monica Harkins prepares alongside national and international news outlets for a live shot on the first day of voting for the U.S. House Speaker.
Library of Congress.jpg
Library of Congress sits across the lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
Rep. james Comer sign.jpg
Wednesday Jan. 4, 2023 WDRB News meets with Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer for a one-on-one interview.
Rep. James Comer two shot.jpg
Wednesday Jan. 4, 2023 WDRB News meets with Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer for a one-on-one interview.
Rep. James Comer wall 2.jpg
Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer displays photos in his D.C. office.
Sen. Mitch and Comer.jpg
Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer displays photos in his D.C. office including when he met Sen. Mitch McConnell when Comer was FFA president.
Rep James Comer FFA wall.jpg
Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer displays his FFA jacket in his D.C. office. Below is a photo of when Comer met Sen. Mitch McConnell when Comer was FFA president.
Rep. James Comer photo wall.jpg
Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer displays photos in his D.C. office with presidents past and present.
Cannon building.jpg
An American flag waves above the Cannon Building on Capitol Hill.
Frank outside the capitol.jpg
WDRB’s photojournalist Frank Stamper walks in front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2023.
SCOTUS building
The United States Supreme Court, SCOTUS, building on Jan. 4, 2023.
Russell building.jpg
U.S. Senators use the Russell Building for offices and meetings.
Russell bldg rotunda.jpg
Inside the Russell Building news outlets set gear up for live shots in the rotunda.
Inside the Russell Building news outlets set gear up for live shots in the rotunda.
Sen Paul flag display.jpg
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, displays flags in his office in the Russell Building.
Sen. Rand Paul with cam.jpg
WDRB News interviews Sen. Rand Paul in a one-on-one interview Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
Sen. Mitch McConnell desk.jpg
Senator Mitch McConnell’s office in the Russell Building.
Mitch McConnell custom mug.jpg
Senator Mitch McConnell’s personalized mug in his office in the Russell Building.
pieces from each NCAA basketball floor.jpg
Senator Mitch McConnell displays pieces from both UofL and UK basketball NCAA Championship game floor boards in his office in the Russell Building.
Sen. McConnell politics wall.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell first cartoon.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space. This cartoon is one of the very first ever made mentioning Sen. McConnell.
McConnell senate race cartoon.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell grave cartoon.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell political cartoon shark.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell political comics.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell politics cartoon sheriff.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell politics cartoon temps.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell politics cartoons.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
Sen McConnell politics cartoon campaign.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office in the Russell Building is one of three that has a balcony with this view of the U.S. Supreme Court, Library of Congress and U.S. Capitol.
view from McConnell’s office.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office in the Russell Building is one of three that has a balcony with this view of the U.S. Capitol.
Capitol barricades.jpg
Two years following the Jan. 6 attack you can see barricades and police on the Capitol grounds but the public does has some outdoor access.
Capitol police.jpg
Two years following the Jan. 6 attack you can see Capitol police monitoring an entrance of the U.S. Capitol.
Visitor center.jpg
Sign shows U.S. Capitol tours information.
US Capitol right side.jpg
WDRB News captures the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 4, 2023.
US capitol police car.jpg
U.S. Police patrol car parked in the front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 4, 2023.
Busy US Capitol shot.jpg
The United State Capitol on the first day of the 118th Congress, January 3, 2023.
DC bound.jpg
WDRB News’ photojournalist Frank Stamper and reporter Monica Harkins travel from Louisville to Washington, D.C. Monday, January 2, 2023 for the beginning of the 118th Congress.
Lobster roll and camera.jpg
WDRB News crew enjoys East Coast lobster rolls on a lunch break.
Frank camera set up Monday nighgt.jpg
WDRB’s photojournalist Frank Stamper sets up a Monday night camera set up.
night time capitol.jpg
WDRB News set up a camera shot showing the U.S. Capitol dome Monday, January 2.
Monday night Monica Capitol in background.jpg
WDRB’s Monica Harkins poses for a photo after recording a reporter package with the U.S. Capitol dome in the background.
Capitol close.jpg
Tuesday morning, WDRB News crew begins reporting from the U.S. Capitol at 9 a.m. for the first day of the 118th Congress.
Longworth side.jpg
Many of the U.S. House of Representatives have their offices in the Longworth building pictured here.
Morgan McGarvey name plate.jpg
Freshman Congress members get the keys to their new offices Tuesday, Jan. 3. 2024. Pictured here is the name plate for Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky.
Frank Stamper and Rep. McGarvey.jpg
WDRB’s Frank Stamper captures Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky, as he walks into his office for the first time.
McGarvey two shot.jpg
WDRB News is the first crew to interview Rep. Morgan McGarvey in his office in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
McGarvey picture and UK bourbon.jpg
U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey displays a photo of him and his family in the Kentucky Senate Chambers.
Rep. McGarvey wall.jpg
U.S. Congressmen Morgan McGarvey displays a bourbon barrel lid from the Kentucky Distillers’ Association in his new office on Capitol Hill.
Bourbon display in Rep. Morgan McGarvey’s office.jpg
Rep. Morgan McGarvey displays some bourbon in the front room of his new D.C. office.
Longworth building.jpg
Many of the U.S. House of Representatives have their offices in the Longworth building pictured here.
House Republican party sign.jpg
This sign was seen Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 outside the U.S. Capitol and says the U.S. House is ‘under new management’ and ‘fully open.’ But, ironically, the Republican party took four days of voting on the House Speaker.
Capitol side shot w security.jpg
Side view of the U.S. Capitol.
Capitol fish eye.jpg
Capitol view from a designated media live shot spot outside.
Dome in capitol.jpg
Photo inside the U.S. Capitol dome.
Video shows the inside of the U.S. Capitol dome.
view outside the capitol.jpg
View of the Washington Monument from inside the U.S. Capitol.
Sen. Mitch McConnell handshake.jpg
WDRB’s Monica Harkins secures an exclusive one-on-one interview with Kentucky’s Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Sen. McConnell two shot.jpg
WDRB’s Monica Harkins and photojournalist Frank Stamper secure an exclusive one-on-one interview with Kentucky’s Sen. Mitch McConnell in his leadership office.
McConnell and Monica two shot.jpg
WDRB’s Monica Harkins secures an exclusive one-on-one interview with Kentucky’s Sen. Mitch McConnell on the day he makes history as longest serving party leader in the U.S. Senate.
McConnell campaign wall.jpg
In Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell’s leadership office you can see a wall decorated with old campaign posters. Including a poster when he ran with former Congressmen John Yarmuth, who at the time was running as a Republican.
McConnell close up.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell uses old campaign posters as decor in his leadership office.
Sen. Mitch McConnell.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell sits with WDRB News for an exclusive one-on-one interview the day he makes history as longest party leader in the U.S. Senate, Jan. 3, 2023.
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has two offices. This video shows his leadership office in the U.S. Capitol.
This video shows some of the pictures and decor displayed in the room Sen. McConnell uses for meetings and interviews in the U.S. Capitol.
McConnell seat of Ky Senators.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays photos of all the senators before him.
The predecessors to Ky Senator Mitch McConnell
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays photos of all the senators before him.
Close up of Ky senators plaque.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays photos of all the senators before him this is a close up of the text displayed.
view of the Washington Monument from inside the Capitol.jpg
This is the view from a window in the House’s media room.
Monica outside capitol.jpg
WDRB’s Monica Harkins prepares for an afternoon live shot on the first day of the voting process for the U.S. Speaker of the House Jan. 3, 2023.
WDRB’s Monica Harkins prepares alongside national and international news outlets for a live shot on the first day of voting for the U.S. House Speaker.
Library of Congress.jpg
Library of Congress sits across the lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
Rep. james Comer sign.jpg
Wednesday Jan. 4, 2023 WDRB News meets with Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer for a one-on-one interview.
Rep. James Comer two shot.jpg
Wednesday Jan. 4, 2023 WDRB News meets with Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer for a one-on-one interview.
Rep. James Comer wall 2.jpg
Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer displays photos in his D.C. office.
Sen. Mitch and Comer.jpg
Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer displays photos in his D.C. office including when he met Sen. Mitch McConnell when Comer was FFA president.
Rep James Comer FFA wall.jpg
Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer displays his FFA jacket in his D.C. office. Below is a photo of when Comer met Sen. Mitch McConnell when Comer was FFA president.
Rep. James Comer photo wall.jpg
Kentucky’s Republican Rep. James Comer displays photos in his D.C. office with presidents past and present.
Cannon building.jpg
An American flag waves above the Cannon Building on Capitol Hill.
Frank outside the capitol.jpg
WDRB’s photojournalist Frank Stamper walks in front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2023.
SCOTUS building
The United States Supreme Court, SCOTUS, building on Jan. 4, 2023.
Russell building.jpg
U.S. Senators use the Russell Building for offices and meetings.
Russell bldg rotunda.jpg
Inside the Russell Building news outlets set gear up for live shots in the rotunda.
Inside the Russell Building news outlets set gear up for live shots in the rotunda.
Sen Paul flag display.jpg
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, displays flags in his office in the Russell Building.
Sen. Rand Paul with cam.jpg
WDRB News interviews Sen. Rand Paul in a one-on-one interview Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
Sen. Mitch McConnell desk.jpg
Senator Mitch McConnell’s office in the Russell Building.
Mitch McConnell custom mug.jpg
Senator Mitch McConnell’s personalized mug in his office in the Russell Building.
pieces from each NCAA basketball floor.jpg
Senator Mitch McConnell displays pieces from both UofL and UK basketball NCAA Championship game floor boards in his office in the Russell Building.
Sen. McConnell politics wall.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell first cartoon.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space. This cartoon is one of the very first ever made mentioning Sen. McConnell.
McConnell senate race cartoon.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell grave cartoon.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell political cartoon shark.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell political comics.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell politics cartoon sheriff.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell politics cartoon temps.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
McConnell politics cartoons.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
Sen McConnell politics cartoon campaign.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell displays his favorite political cartoons from his career in his Russell Building office space.
Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office in the Russell Building is one of three that has a balcony with this view of the U.S. Supreme Court, Library of Congress and U.S. Capitol.
view from McConnell’s office.jpg
Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office in the Russell Building is one of three that has a balcony with this view of the U.S. Capitol.
Capitol barricades.jpg
Two years following the Jan. 6 attack you can see barricades and police on the Capitol grounds but the public does has some outdoor access.
Capitol police.jpg
Two years following the Jan. 6 attack you can see Capitol police monitoring an entrance of the U.S. Capitol.
Visitor center.jpg
Sign shows U.S. Capitol tours information.
US Capitol right side.jpg
WDRB News captures the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 4, 2023.
US capitol police car.jpg
U.S. Police patrol car parked in the front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 4, 2023.
Around noon Tuesday, Sen. Mitch McConnell was sworn in as longest-serving party leader in U.S. Senate history. He passed Democrat Mike Mansfield’s record of 16 years.
McConnell did an exclusive one-on-one interview with WDRB one hour before the Senate gaveled in. His staff said his leadership office has stayed the same despite shifts in power from majority leader to minority leader.
His leadership office is in the Capitol and houses one of seven working fireplaces. He also has a separate room down the hall for meetings and interviews that is decorated with old campaign posters and Louisville and Kentucky memorabilia.
Following McConnell’s interview, WDRB News, like the majority of other news outlets, set up to watch the speaker vote begin.
With votes going into the late afternoon, photojournalist Frank Stamper prepared equipment for a live shot outside the front of the U.S. Capitol for the 5 p.n. and 6 p.m. newscasts.
The House then called for a break for the night until noon Wednesday. WDRB News got to work on content for the evening newscasts.
Wednesday morning started with a one-on-one with Kentucky Rep. James Comer. He is now leading the House’s investigative body.
WDRB News talked with him about the start of the session and the lengthy speaker vote, and he teased he wants to look into COVID-19 spending, immigration and the Biden family.
Next, Sen. Rand Paul sat down with WDRB News. He is now the ranking member for the Senate’s version of government oversite. He shared his priorities are inflation and the origin of the COVID-19 virus.
This video shows some of the pictures and decor displayed in the room Sen. McConnell uses for meetings and interviews in the U.S. Capitol.
Following Paul’s interview, McConnell’s staff invited WDRB News to a tour of McConnell’s personal office in the Russell Building. He has one of three balconies that overlooks the U.S. Supreme Court building and the US Capitol.
McConnell uses political cartoons as décor and showcases some of his favorites.
The House returned at noon Wednesday. Following the sixth vote, it was clear the vote for speaker could take a while. WDRB News wrapped up content at the hotel and headed back to Louisville.
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