Issue One in the news: February 2022 media mentions recap

Our “Fair Pay” report on low congressional staff pay continued to grab headlines as reporters covered the challenging environment facing many junior staffers on Capitol Hill. Founder and CEO Nick Penniman appeared on Fox News to discuss our key findings, and was interviewed by Spectrum News, a local news network with stations across the country including NY1 in New York City, Bay News 9 in Tampa, News 1 in Los Angeles, and many more. Research Director Michael Beckel also spoke about our report with National Journal and Federal News Network, with additional coverage appearing in The Washington Post, CBS News, The New Republic, New York Post, Christian Science Monitor, The Independent, Roll Call, FedManager, and The Fulcrum. It’s clear our report landed at the right moment and has helped contribute to an important conversation in a meaningful way.

Bipartisan momentum continues to be growing in Congress for a stock trading ban that covers sitting members and their spouses. Our recent bipartisan panel — done in partnership with the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) and the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) and which featured Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), as well as former Reps. Brian Baird (D-WA) and Zach Wamp (R-TN) of the ReFormers Caucus — was covered by The Hill. Legislative Director Elise Wirkus also spoke about this issue with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and appeared on WFMJ-TV, a NBC/CW affiliate in Youngstown, Ohio.

National Council on Election Integrity members Admiral Mike Rogers and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel (R-NE) appeared on Andrea Mitchell’s MSNBC weekday program to discuss the continuing crisis in Ukraine amid Vladimir Putin’s Russian invasion and assault on the independent and sovereign democratic nation.

The New Yorker published an excellent feature on millennial Republican and “Swamp Stories” podcast host Weston Wamp for shining a light on the truth about the 2020 election with our Truthtellers video series. The column also includes quotes from ReFormers Caucus and National Council on Election Integrity member former Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI).

Our new report on partisan redistricting, “Extreme Gerrymanders,” also launched, with coverage appearing in The Fulcrum and Politico Playbook New York.

Additional highlights include a story from Jackson Hole News & Guide on an upcoming conversation in Wyoming between Nick Penniman and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) on defending our Constitution and elections and an NPR piece citing our recent bipartisan elections reform report. Elise Wirkus also joined SiriusXM with host Laura Coates to talk about the future of election reforms.