The earlier replies have given you lots of good advice. I have connected many times on US Airways at Reagan National (airport code DCA) -- it is a very convenient connection as all of their gates are in a fairly small area. Since you are on US Airways Express, your flight from Kansas City might park away from the gates, in which case you'll be brought into the terminal on a bus. Even so, there won't be any problem making your connection. In fact, if you have a few extra minutes, get some French Fries at Five Guys and carry them onto your connecting flight (I think you can get them before 10:00 but not sure).
Is US Airways a good airline to fly? Hmmm ... you may want to read some of the other threads in the US Airways forum here if you haven't already.
Be prepared to pay
a la carte for your checked baggage and for drinks on board the plane.
In case of delays on your first flight, US Airways does have several flights each day between DCA and Albany, so you shouldn't have any trouble being rebooked since it looks like you're on the early side of the day.