Watch: The Hill’s Notable Staffer List 2026

The Hill has released the fourth edition of its Notable Staffers project, an annual compilation that highlights a cross-section of Congressional aides deemed particularly impactful on Capitol Hill. The roundup is explicitly bipartisan, drawing attention to staff across both chambers whose work helps formulate policy, manage communications and keep the day-to-day functions of Congress moving.

More than 12,000 people staff offices in the House and Senate, and the list seeks to identify a subset whose roles and actions stand out. These aides often operate out of public view but are instrumental in drafting legislation, coordinating policy strategy, and preparing lawmakers to address oversight, budget and constituent matters.

By naming specific staffers, the feature aims to give readers a clearer sense of who influences legislative outcomes and who carries out the technical and operational tasks that underpin lawmaking. The project underscores that much of Congress’s substantive work depends on these career and committee staffers rather than elected members alone.

The Notable Staffers list is part of The Hill’s broader coverage of Capitol Hill personnel and institutional dynamics, providing context on how policy is developed and implemented through the efforts of both visible and behind-the-scenes actors.