Where is the Capitol?

The Capitol of the United States is at the top of Capitol Hill. The Senate buildings are on one side of the Capitol. Members of the House, which is what Congressmen and women are called, have their offices on the other side. Both Senators and Congressional representatives do their main work in the Capitol.

It is an extremely short walk from their offices to the House but if they don’t feel like walking there is a special subway that goes under the Capitol, the House and the Senate buildings. When we were kids, my brother, Michael and I rode that subway hundreds of times. Not on the same day, of course. We usually sat behind the subway driver. Sometimes he’d say, “Here come the Senators,” and we would hop off lickety split. He would pick us up on the way back. It is against the rules to take up space that a Member of Congress might need to ride on a Member Only elevator.

What is Capitol Hill like?

​​Some people have the idea that Capitol Hill is nothing but fancy government buildings. That is half true. It is also a neighborhood. Families live in row houses, with small yards. Cars are parked on the street because almost no one has a garage. Most people walk to the farmer’s market, coffee shops, work and school. Some take the subway or a bus. But beware: when people live this close together, all the adults know each other. If you do something Melonheaded, your parents will know by the time you get home.

When you were a kid, how far was the U.S. Capitol from your house?

Five short blocks. The closest houses are a block away, right behind the Supreme Court.

Do you see famous people walking around on Capitol Hill?

We see Congressmen and Congresswomen and Senators but usually we don’t recognize them. When President Obama was a Senator he lived in apartment near Madam and Pop’s house but we didn’t know who he was until he ran for president.

Do you see the President driving around?

It depends on the president. Most presidents and vice-presidents travel around the city in a motorcade, which is parade of black Suburban SUVs, two limousines and an ambulance led by police on motorcycles. Some motorcades have 40 vehicles!

We saw President Obama and President Biden’s motorcades often. My daughter, Marguerite, saw Malia and Sasha’s  small motorcade almost everyday because she was working across the street from their school. Who thinks a motorcade would be a better way to get to school than a bus or a carpool? Me too!

President Trump rarely used a motorcade, unless he was going to the Capitol to give a State of the Union Speech or to the Trump Hotel, which is about four blocks from the White House. He travelled by helicopter to his golf course in Virginia and to Andrews Air Force Base when he was going to take Air Force One to visit another state. From time to time, we saw Ivanka or Jared’s motorcade.

What does the Secret Service do?

One team rides near in front and checks for anything that could be dangerous. There is also what is called a counter assault team. In case of an attack it is their job to fight back. Doctors ride inside in case the president is hurt or gets sick. If there was an emergency, the eight most important vehicles, which the Secret Service calls the “secure package,” would race away to safety.

Why do they call it that?

The Secret Service uses lots of code names. President Biden's codename is “Celtic,” the same as when he was the Vice President under President Obama. Our first female Vice-President, but also the first woman of color in the White House, Kamala Harris, is called "Pioneer." The President's wife Jill Biden, goes by “Capri”. When the president is not in the room, White House workers call him POTUS, which is short for President Of The United States.

Can you see the president inside his limousine?

No. All car windows are black so you can’t tell which limousine is carrying the president or who is in the SUVs. One limousine is a decoy.

Do people go crazy with excitement?

Completely. Even though we can’t see inside the president’s car, the president can see out, so lots of people wave like mad at the motorcade.

Are motorcades fun to watch?

Yes. That’s lucky because when a motorcade is coming all other cars must stop and wait. It’s the law. It doesn’t take long because the president is allowed to run red lights.

Have you been to the White House?

Many times. During the Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations, I was a reporter, first for People magazine and later for USA TODAY.  My job was to write stories about the first ladies and White House events. I wrote stories about state dinners and other parties. I liked watching the presidents and their wives dance in the grand foyer and famous musicians entertain in the East Room. But the part I liked best was getting to see the private places like the kitchens and talk to the butler about getting ready for a party.

What do you do when you meet the president?

When you are invited to the White House you should stand up when the president comes in the room. That’s good manners. You should always call him Mr. President. Also, give him a nice handshake. If you meet Dr. Biden, you should call her Dr. Biden.