RALEIGH, N.C.  – North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan is beginning to offer weekly open houses in her office as an informal way for constituents to meet with her on Capitol Hill.

Hagan said she invites any North Carolina residents visiting Washington to come by her office on Wednesday mornings while the Senate is in session so that they can share their thoughts and concerns. The Democrat, who took office in January, said the informal meetings starting this week will allow her to stay aware of the things happening in the state.

The gatherings, nicknamed “Carolina Coffees,” will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Hagan won a seat in the Senate last year after arguing that her predecessor, former Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole, was out of touch with state voters.

Congressional Democrats have a bigger majority than they’ve enjoyed in decades, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be unity on Capitol Hill.

But the fate of the Obama presidency will be shaped just as much — if not more — by the messy, behind-the-scenes process already underway in Washington: the reorganization of power on Capitol Hill.