Welcome to The Gate, an ambitious new offering from NationalJournal.com.

Starting today, our goal is to provide you, our readers, with easy and direct access to the news that matters most, from inside the Beltway to around the world. We know time is of the essence, and information overload is all around. That's why our primary goal is to offer you a quick, easy-to-use gateway into the top stories of the day. We will work fast to direct you to news as it's happening, but we'll be careful not to lead you away from accuracy. We will take a few minutes to round up the top stories in the morning, and then revisit the top stories in the afternoon. In between, we'll be sure to highlight the most interesting, relevant or unique news we find from across the Web, or from right here within our own valuable publications. We'll make the day's leading stories timely, interesting and relevant.

More questions? Let's see if I can answer a few.

Do I have to be a subscriber to read The Gate?

No, you do not. The Gate is freely available to anyone coming to our site.

Are you posting stories around the clock?

No, we're not trying to become CNN. We know NationalJournal.com, CongressDaily, the Hotline, Technology Daily, the Almanac of American Politics, Capital Source and so on are valuable resources for our readers. We know you turn to us for in-depth information, and now we want you to turn to us for and stay with us for your online news updates throughout the workday. We'll be here from early morning to early evening. We want you to be here with us.

Will I find original or exclusive writing?

Yes, you will. Our primary goal is to serve as your gatekeeper to news that matters, but we will also be providing our own reporting from NationalJournal.com and National Journal staffers, whether it's a Murray Waas exclusive on a secret Alberto Gonzales order, or a live blog in real time during a political debate.

Why can't I post comments?

Currently, The Gate does not offer user comments. We're not trying to be unresponsive; we're trying to make the best use of your time. In the months ahead, NationalJournal.com will be offering a number of new interactive features designed to create a sense of community among our readers. We don't think the news of the day is one of those areas. Our goal with The Gate is not to create an online policy forum; it's to keep you abreast of what's going on in an efficient and objective manner.

How can I offer feedback?

Very easily. You can reach the editors and writers of The Gate by e-mailing us at thegate@nationaljournal.com.

If you have more questions or suggestions, please feel free to let us know.

Jason Thompson
Editor, NationalJournal.com