The Hill's 15th Anniversary

Turning 15 years old is a significant milestone for newspapers these days. With newspapers increasingly out of print, it is worth recognizing how The Hill has managed to maintain its momentum. The Hill has no doubt adapted with its HillTube videos and congressional blogging, but one aspect sets it apart from competitors: The Special Reports.

Friday marks the fifteenth anniversary of The Hill, a new leader led by a tireless team of reporters, editors and photographers that has provided an important window into the day-to-day business of the United States Congress.

Nancy Pelosi didn’t set out to wind up in Congress. Once she got there, she didn’t set her sights on leadership.

Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) stood with his colleagues 15 years ago on the West front of the Capitol to unveil the GOP’s ticket back to power: the Contract With America.

Sens. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had little in common in 1994 besides a soft-spoken demeanor and a relatively low profile in the upper chamber.

Business has boomed for K Street over the last 15 years, but so has scrutiny over the lobbying industry. 

In the past 15 years, lawmakers have given the president the authority to launch wars, rebuilt the nation’s intelligence community, passed new healthcare entitlement programs, restructured the tax code and greatly expanded the financial powers of the executive branch. 

The Hill was in good company when it debuted in 1994.