Press Releases

Select Committee Examines Ways to Build A More Civil and Cooperative Congress

Chair Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Vice Chair William Timmons (R-SC) of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress ("Select Committee") held a hearing to examine efforts to improve collaboration and civility in Congress and to understand better the various factors and societal trends that have contributed to the high levels of polarization in Congress."This is the first organization in which I've worked in that does not have a widely embraced mission or set of goals. Congress often feels l…  Continue Reading

Select Committee Tackles House Accessibility Hurdles in Hearing

Chair Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Vice Chair William Timmons (R-SC) of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress ("Select Committee") held a virtual hearing to explore the hurdles Americans face in working for the House or engaging with Congress. "For the House to fulfill its charge of transforming public opinion into public policy they need to be able to hear from all the people they represent, but access to Congress is not universal," said Kilmer. "The physical barriers to access ar…  Continue Reading

Modernization Committee Names Derek Harley as Republican Staff Director of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress

U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06) and William Timmons (R-SC-04), Chair and Vice Chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress ("Select Committee"), today announced the appointment of Derek Harley to serve as the new Republican Staff Director of the Select Committee. A veteran congressional staffer with more than 20 years of policy, management, and campaign experience, Mr. Harley most recently served as Senior Vice President of Federal Affairs at Shumaker Advisors Ohio…  Continue Reading

Blogs

Managing Congressional Staff in the 21st Century

In the last few months, employees nationwide have held conversations across various job sectors about their workplace environment and how employers can cultivate a better work/life balance. The Modernization committee wanted to share what we're doing on behalf of congressional staff, the backbone of the People's House, to ensure their work on behalf of the American people is supported, and is not dwarfed by Executive Branch influence and lobbyist interests. Staff have a wealth of institutiona…  Continue Reading