Shutt

Jennifer Shutt

[email protected] https://x.com/JenniferShutt https://bsky.app/profile/jennifershutt.bsky.social

Jennifer covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include congressional policy, politics and legal challenges with a focus on health care, unemployment, housing and aid to families.

Before joining States Newsroom, Jennifer covered Congress for CQ Roll Call for more than six years. As a budget and appropriations reporter, she tracked the annual federal funding process as well as disaster aid and COVID-19 spending.

Jennifer is originally from northern Pennsylvania and holds degrees in journalism and political science from Penn State University. After graduating, she began her journalism career as a reporter for The Daily Times in Maryland where she covered local and state government. Jennifer then moved to Washington, D.C. to work as a web producer at Politico.

The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 13, 2026. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
National

Most US House races aren’t competitive. What does that mean for how lawmakers govern?

Oct 23, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — Fewer than 5% of U.S. House races are seen by a top political analysis as truly competitive heading into November’s midterm elections, giving relatively few voters the ability to determine which party controls the chamber for the next...
The price health insurance companies charge for employer-sponsored plans increased again this year, according to a survey by KFF. (Photo by krisanapong detraphiphat/Getty Images)
National

Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds

Oct 22, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — The price health insurance companies charge for employer-sponsored plans increased again this year, as did the deductible many people must pay before those plans begin covering most healthcare costs, according to a survey released Thursday by the nonpartisan...
The White House, south facing, on the early morning of Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
National

Judge extends temporary access to White House for news organizations Trump banned

Oct 08, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — A federal judge will rule in the coming days on whether the Trump administration can legally rescind White House press passes for journalists at three news organizations, or if those reporters will be able to continue accessing the...
US Capitol, Social Security card, $100 bill illustration
National

US Senate candidates in 9 key races quiet about Social Security benefits cliff

Oct 07, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — Nearly all of the U.S. senators elected this year will be in office when Congress debates how to restructure Social Security to prevent an automatic drop-off in retirement benefits in 2032. Very few candidates in competitive races, however...
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan took the stage at the First Avenue rally on July 20, 2026. (Photo by Glen Stubbe/Minnesota Reformer)
National

No major gains projected for count of women in Congress after midterms

Oct 06, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — The number of women in the U.S. Senate is unlikely to increase and may decline following the November midterm elections, though there are still opportunities for candidates to make history in the upper chamber. Kelly Dittmar, director of...
Indiana hospital officials point to new studies showing decreased health care costs
National

Democrats more trusted on healthcare costs, survey shows

Oct 06, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — Democrats are more motivated to vote in November’s midterm elections than Republicans, potentially giving the party an advantage to flip at least one chamber of Congress, according to a poll released Tuesday by the nonpartisan health organization KFF...
The U.S. Capitol on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
National

US House Dems’ campaign chief predicts they'll gain majority control in midterms

Oct 05, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — Democrats expect they’ll gain a majority of seats in the U.S. House following November’s midterm elections, giving the party a platform to serve as a check on the president’s power. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene said...
When your local reflecting pool or pond turns green with algae nature has better solutions
National

Judge blocks federal prosecutors from refiling charges in Reflecting Pool case

Oct 01, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — A D.C. Superior Court judge ruled Thursday that prosecutors cannot, for a second time, charge former Olympic canoeist David Hearn with damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Judge Todd E. Edelman wrote in his ruling that “the observed...
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15, 2026. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
National

US Senate leaves nation’s capital in advance of midterms with much still undone

Oct 01, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — U.S. senators departed Capitol Hill on Wednesday night for their campaign break, leaving numerous policy disputes unresolved. The chamber won’t return until Nov. 9 for the five-week lame-duck session, when party leaders will have to decide which bills...
The U.S. Supreme Court on April 9, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
National

Schumer: Democratic US Senate may block Trump nominees for Supreme Court, lower courts

Sep 30, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated Wednesday that should Democrats regain control of the chamber following the elections, they plan to block judicial nominees sent up by President Donald Trump, including for any possible vacancies on the...
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on June 29, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
National

Congressional watchdog says Trump administration can’t defy lawmakers to revoke $810M

Sep 29, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration must spend the $810 million that it said last week it planned to cancel, according to a report released Tuesday by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office. The congressional watchdog’s decision contends the White House budget...
White House seeks federal spending data on dozens of nonprofit organizations
National

News orgs banned from White House accuse Trump of First Amendment violation

Sep 29, 2026
Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — The three news organizations that President Donald Trump barred from entering the White House grounds earlier this month have asked a federal judge to ensure their reporters continue to have access after a temporary restraining order expires in...