A feature or general news picture taken on Capitol Hill that depicts Congressional/POLITICAL activity from, but not limited to, press conferences, hearings, rallies and behind-the-scenes situations. Photo should capture a unique or compelling moment, or the essence of the situation, even if taken during a photo-op. Pictures made at the Supreme Court should not appear in this category. Pictures of the current US President on Capitol Hill (President at the time the photo was taken) must go in the presidential category.
First Place
Bill Clark, Roll Call
Bear Hug: Scott Merrick, left, and Kevin Travaline move a stuffed bear into position next to a stuffed moose in Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's lobby in the Hart Senate Office Building on June 14, 2016. The staff unloaded a truck full of food and drinks from New Hampshire, along with the bear and moose, in preparation for the Experience New Hampshire event being later in the week in the Russell Senate Office Building.
Second Place
Tom Williams, Roll Call
Sen. Franken: Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., waits for a key to his Capitol hideaway before an interview about his upcoming Jeopardy! appearance, April 7, 2016.
Third Place
Ricky Carioti, Washington Post
Exhausted: Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) makes his way to the podium to make a statement following a policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on May 10, 2016 in Washington, D.C.
Award of Excellence
Drew Angerer, Getty Images
McCain and Franklin: Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) talks on his cell phone next to a statue of Benjamin Franklin before a meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 9, 2016.
Award of Excellence
Bill Clark, Roll Call
I'm Mike Pence: Vice President-elect Mike Pence stops to talk with 4 year old tourist Victoria Cruz, of Orlando, Fla., as he leaves a meeting with Senate Republicans the Capitol on Dec. 6, 2016. Victoria and her mother Elena were in the Rotunda on a tour of the Capitol when the Vice President-elect stopped to greet them.
Award of Excellence
Erin Schaff, Freelance for UPI
Grip n' Grin: Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo. massages Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's shoulders before the bill signing ceremony for H.R. 3762 on January 7, 2016 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The bill would repeal key sections of President Obama's health care law and stop taxpayer funds going to Planned Parenthood. This is the 62nd vote House Republicans have cast to repeal or reduce Obamacare, but it is the first time the bill will make it to the President's desk. President Obama has said that he will veto the legislation.
Award of Excellence
Jacquelyn Martin, The Associated Press
Last Supper: House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., center, and the committee's ranking member Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., second from right, listen to staffers as they confer on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sep 14, 2016, during the committee's hearing on Iran. The committee approved legislation to prohibit the U.S. from making cash payments to Iran and requires that any future settlements with Tehran be conducted openly.
Award of Excellence
Jim Watson, Agence France-Presse
Cover Your Heads!: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (L), R-Wisconsin, points at Caroline Yoder (2nd L), the daughter of US Congressman Kevin Yoder (C), who covered her head with a blanket during pictures of her father's congressional mock-swearing in, with his wife Brooke Yoder (R) and their other daughter Eloise Yoder (2nd R).
Award of Excellence
Bill Clark, Roll Call
Mind Meld: Former rivals Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., left, and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, confer as Secretary of Defense nominee James Mattis testifies during his confirmation hearing in the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 12, 2017.