House Press Gallery Announcements and Press Releases
MEDIA GALLERIES The House maintains three galleries for use by credentialed and visiting members of
the press. Galleries for the daily print press, periodical publications and the electronic
media are provided by the House. |
| GENERAL INFORMATION The House Press Gallery facilitates the print media coverage of the U.S. House of Representatives. Its staff maintains facilities for the working press, approves applications for Membership and enforces rules and standards of conduct for newspaper reporters covering Congress. The Gallery is a basic office environment where Members of Congress may reach reporters. The staff answers phone inquiries from reporters and congressional staff regarding current information and historical perspective on House floor and committee activities. We post press releases and committee notices in the Gallery, with a copy of each Members release distributed to the major news wires. It is our duty to ensure ample work space for reporters covering committee meetings, provide copies of hearing testimony, and write and distribute the daily schedule of House Committee meetings to major news outlets. We will familiarize press secretaries of all House Members and Congressional committees with daily Gallery operations and services, the workings of the Congressional Press Corps and will help Members offices in accrediting newspaper reporters visiting from their districts. We also help in press-related planning of special events with the Sergeant at Arms office, such as events involving Members with visiting dignitaries, Cabinet Members, President and First Lady. We will set up pool coverage of these events and coordinate the policing of stakeout positions with other galleries. The Press Gallery staff also coordinates coverage from the Press Gallery of the State of the Union address and accredits out-of-town journalists arriving for the event; works with State Department personnel to arrange for the foreign press covering Joint Sessions; coordinates print press coverage of both national political conventions; plans all media coverage of the debates conducted by the Commission on Presidential Debates. |