Press Releases
Select Committee Passes Final Round of Recommendations to Make Congress Work Better for the American People
Fifth package would help reclaim Congress' Article One responsibilities, improve the congressional schedule and calendar, boost congressional capacity and reform the budget and appropriations process Washington, D.C. - Today the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress ("Select Committee") passed its fifth and final package of recommendations to make Congress work better for the American people. 40 new recommendations were passed, which aim to help Congress reclaim its Article One … Continue Reading
August 14, 2020
Select Committee joins Stubblefield Institute to talk modernizing Congress
The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress Chair Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Vice Chair Tom Graves (R-GA) joined The Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications to discuss the Select Committee's work. Established in 2019 as part of The Shepherd University, The Stubblefield Institute is committed to "bringing divergent viewpoints together in constructive debate and authentic dialogue in order to foster greater civic engagement and responsibility." The Chair and Vice Chair … Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
Select Committee Unanimously Approves Fourth Round of Recommendations
Washington, D.C. - Today the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress ("Select Committee") unanimously passed 12 new recommendations aimed at improving continuity of operations in Congress. This was the fourth package of recommendations passed by the Select Committee. Since many congressional offices began teleworking in March due to the global pandemic, the Select Committee has held six virtual discussions with guest experts. In a number of the discussions, the Members and … Continue Reading
July 10, 2020
Committee Approves Key Modernization Initiatives and Priorities
Language echoing five Select Committee recommendations included in FY21 funding bill Washington, D.C. - The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress today applauded the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations' passage of the FY 21 Legislative Branch funding bill, which included a number of key provisions investing in the long term modernization of the legislative branch. There are five items that directly correlate to recommendations and requests made by the Select Committee. These … Continue Reading
July 10, 2020
House Administration and Modernization Committees Publicize Reports to Improve Congress
Washington, D.C. - Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Chairperson Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress Chair Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Vice Chair Tom Graves (R-GA) announced that the congressional reports from the Select Committee's ongoing work will be made public. The reports - mandated by legislation passed in March - detail how the Select Committee's recommendations could be implemented in the legislative branch. The … Continue Reading
June 25, 2020
Select Committee Hosts Virtual Discussion on Boosting Internal Expertise in Congress
Yesterday the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress ("Select Committee") hosted a virtual discussion to examine the importance of congressional staff expertise, and the role that Congressional Member Organizations (CMOs) play in providing Members with additional information and resources to assist them in their policy making and representational roles. The Select Committee was joined by Lee Drutman, senior fellow in the Political Reform program at New America Foundation; Paul … Continue Reading
June 18, 2020
Select Committee Hosts Virtual Discussion with American Political Science Association Task Force
Today the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress ("Select Committee") hosted a discussion with members of the American Political Science Association (APSA) to discuss ongoing recommendations for congressional reform, with a specific focus on congressional capacity, the need for a diverse congressional staff, and the congressional schedule and calendar. Last year following the creation of the Select Committee, APSA created the Task Force on Congressional Reform, comprised of more … Continue Reading
June 08, 2020
Select Committee Members Host Virtual Discussion on Congressional Staffing Reforms
Washington, D.C. - Last week the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress "Select Committee" held a virtual discussion with outside guests to discuss staffing reforms on Capitol Hill. This was the fourth virtual discussion hosted by the Select Committee in the last month. Casey Burgat, director of the Legislative Affairs program at the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University, and Kathryn Pearson, Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota, … Continue Reading
May 26, 2020
Select Committee Members Host Virtual Discussion
Washington, D.C. - The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress ("Select Committee") held a virtual discussion with two guests to discuss best practices and identify the challenges facing district staff while working remotely, and what steps federal agencies are taking to protect employees once they return to work in an office environment. Peter M. Weichlein, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), and Kristine Simmons, Vice President for … Continue Reading
May 07, 2020
Select Committee Hosts Virtual Member Discussion
Washington, D.C. - The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress ("Select Committee") held a virtual discussion with two guest speakers to discuss the importance of committee continuity and how to continue working effectively on behalf of the American people during the ongoing global pandemic. The Select Committee met virtually with Marci Harris, CEO of PopVox, and Beth Simone Noveck, Director of The Governance Lab and Chief Innovation Officer for the State of New Jersey. The Members … Continue Reading
March 10, 2020
Legislation to Reform Congress Passes House
Text was introduced and championed by the committee's twelve bipartisan Members of Congress Washington, D.C. - Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress' ("Select Committee") bipartisan legislation to make Congress more effective, efficient and transparent. H.Res.756, the Moving our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Modernization Resolution ("ModCom"), includes nearly 30 of the recommendations made by the Select … Continue Reading
February 26, 2020
ICYMI: Chair Kilmer & Vice Chair Graves Speak on House Floor
Washington, D.C. - In case you missed it, Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress Chair Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Vice Chair Tom Graves (R-GA) participated in a Special Order on the House floor yesterday to highlight the work of the committee and detail the recommendations that have been unanimously passed thus far. Key excerpts from each member's speech as prepared can be seen below. The full clip can be viewed here. Chair Kilmer: "I rise today to speak about the work of the Select … Continue Reading
February 05, 2020
Select Committee Holds Hearing to Examine Congressional Debate and Deliberation
Washington, D.C. - Today the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (“Select Committee”) held a hearing to explore the impact of increased political polarization and partisanship on Congress’ ability to execute the Article One principle of debate and deliberation. “Article One: Fostering a More Deliberative Process in Congress” was the second hearing this year aimed at exploring ways Congress is not satisfying its constitutional obligations, and how that effects legislating. “We … Continue Reading
January 14, 2020
Select Committee Examines Article One Capacity
Washington, D.C. - The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (“Select Committee”) today held a hearing to explore ways to boost Congress’ current capacity and ensure it is meeting its obligations and duties as outlined in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. “Article One: Restoring Capacity and Equipping Congress to Better Serve the American People,” examined why over the past several decades the executive branch has expanded in size and scope of power, while the legislative … Continue Reading
January 07, 2020
Recommendations Passed by Select Committee Implemented by Franking Commission
Today the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress applauded new updates to the official House Communications Rules and Procedures, which include a number of improvements to constituent communication introduced and passed by the Select Committee last month. The new updates, listed below, will go into effect today. The Select Committee worked closely with the Committee on House Administration and the House Commission on Mailing Standards to craft recommendations that would allow for … Continue Reading
December 19, 2019
Select Committee Unanimously Approves Third Round of Recommendations
Washington, D.C. - Today the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (“Select Committee”) passed its third round of bipartisan recommendations aimed to make Congress work better for the American people. The recommendations were crafted to boost civility and bipartisanship in the House, save taxpayer dollars and increase the quality of constituent communication. The recommendations, 16 in total, passed unanimously. “Since this committee was created, our mission has been to craft … Continue Reading
December 10, 2019
Modernization Committee Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Reform Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (“Select Committee”) will introduce legislation to implement the bipartisan recommendations that have passed out of the Select Committee throughout the year. The Moving Our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Modernization (ModCom) includes nearly 30 of the recommendations made by the Select Committee, all crafted to make Congress work better for the American people. The text specifically addresses … Continue Reading
November 14, 2019
Select Committee Extended Through 116th Congress
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to extend the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (“Select Committee”) through the end of the 116th Congress. The rule that created the Select Committee originally had it set to expire on February 1, 2020. The extension allows the Select Committee to continue its work proposing bipartisan reforms to make Congress work better for the American people. Created by an overwhelming bipartisan vote at the beginning of … Continue Reading
November 01, 2019
Select Committee Holds Hearing on Improving Constituent Communications
Washington, D.C. - To discuss opportunities to improve constituent communications the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (“Select Committee”) held a hearing yesterday to examine the congressional frank and current mailing standards in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Congress and the Frank: Bringing Congressional Mailing Standards into the 21st Century” examined the history of the congressional frank, how it’s been regulated and reformed over the last few decades, and … Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Select Committee Holds Hearing to Examine House Calendar and Schedule Reform
Washington, D.C. - The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (“Select Committee”) held a hearing yesterday to examine opportunities to allow for more effective and efficient days at work on behalf of the American people. “The House Calendar and Schedule: Evaluating Practices and Challenges” examined opportunities to reform the current congressional schedule and calendar, a topic of discussion that has been top of mind in Congress for decades. Ida Brudnick, Specialist on Congress … Continue Reading