NPR’s legendary newscaster Carl Kasell recently explained the debt ceiling in his very own rap. [Look out Remy] [listen here] Here’s a little lesson, Sit back for just a bit Here’s how we make a dollar out of 60 cents It started years ago, In 1917 Congress set a limit …

A great piece about Tom Williams, one of Capitol Hill’s hardest working photogs. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy h/t Jim B

Last week there were a lot of interesting protest signs floating around Capitol Hill, but none as clever as this one spotted by Luke Russert. h/t @mkhammer via @dmataconis

Part One of NBC’s Inside Congress special. Check the rest of the segments out here. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

A good lesson in speeting. [speed tweeting]. h/t RTHowell

The scene: Speaker Boehner’s press conference in the CVC Studio A. According to photographer Ryan Howell, it was easily one of the best attended press events in terms of still photographers. Lots of Canon guys shooting the famous 70-200 f/2.8. Not pictured: Roll Call’s Bill Clark [He was camped out …

Denis Leary, who would make an amazing political science professor, enjoys following Majority Leader Eric Cantor on Twitter.  Leary likes Cantor so much, he suggested a fun recess activity for him: Leary tweeted: 4 words: Eric Cantor Dunk Tank. #death2thedebt Cantor replied: I’m Honored. We bet Leary wasn’t expecting that …

Former LA Governor Buddy Roemer announced his republican presidential campaign last week followed by a memorial service. Campaign over before it began.

When you get a chance today, pat a staff assistant on the back.  According to a few tipsters, the phone lines on Capitol Hill are burning up. Many of us have been there and it sucks – but none of us ever had to deal with the President pulling an …

Press flack says not so fast to NY Times headline, NBC RTs.

We’re not sure how the debt debate will turn out, but if last night was any indication, things don’t look good for Republicans. Last night Roll Call pulled off another successful baseball game at Nationals stadium. The Weiner-less Democrats crushed the Republicans by a score of 8 to 2. [via …

There will be no bipartisan camping trip this weekend and not because Mitch McConnell doesn’t like sleeping outside.  [No debt talks. No trust falls. No campfires.  No smores.] Tensions are running so high over debt talks that Capitol Hill leaders are turning down a trip to Camp David before it’s …

The LA Dodgers were the punchline of quite a few ESPY jokes last night and will be the butt of the joke tonight at the Roll Call Congressional Baseball game. Bankrupting America, a project of Public Notice, is running ads on the back of the player baseball cards. The copy …

The Fed Chair was clearly enjoying his time at today’s hearing.                   By the way, is that Patrick Bateman behind him?

The debt limit isn’t the only game in Washington this week. For 50 years, Democratic and Republican Members of Congress have set aside their gavels and blackberries to slug out their differences in a more traditional manner–on the baseball field. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Roll Call …