CNN's Chris Frates

Chris Frates is a correspondent with the CNN Investigations unit, reporting on in-depth stories for all CNN platforms and programs including covering the 2016 presidential campaign. Frates has reported on several high-profile and award-winning investigative stories from the rollout of Obamacare to the federal investigations into Gov. Chris Christie's administration. He uncovered that 20 percent of lawmakers responsible for writing U.S. tax laws have tax problems themselves and his recent report on a USDA California meat recall resulted in Congress authorizing an additional $1 million in federal funding. Frates joined the network in October 2013 and he is based in the network's Washington bureau.

Before coming to CNN, Frates served as a national correspondent at the National Journal, where he covered congressional leadership and the intersection of money, politics and policy. While at the National Journal, Frates founded and managed Influence Alley, a microsite that covered the ties between Congress and K Street. Prior to joining the National Journal, Frates served as a reporter at Politico, where he launched and authored Politico Influence and Politico Pulse, daily emails that brief readers on the lobbying industry and health care reform, respectively. He also covered health care reform during debate and passage of the 2010 health care reform law, regularly breaking news on that national story.

Prior to his time with Politico, Frates was a reporter for the Denver Post. During his time there he covered the Colorado Statehouse and was among the breaking news team recognized as a finalist for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize. His work has appeared in publications such as The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Boston Globe, The Dallas Morning News, The Baltimore Sun and The Tampa Tribune and his political analysis has been featured on the CBS Evening News, NBC,CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and WTOP.  Frates received his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland.