Resources: The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress

LegBranch.org was built to provide visitors with a “one-stop shop” for the latest research, analysis, and commentary on Congress and reform. As the hub for the congressional reform movement, LegBranch.org provides a non-partisan space to discuss what’s working in Congress, what’s not, and how we can fix it.

In this spirit, we’ve put together a resource page for the newly created Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. On Friday, January 4, the House voted (418-12) to establish the select committee as part of the House rules package. Speaker Pelosi named Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) chair of the select committee. The remaining 11 members have not yet been announced.

The resource page is intended to provide Hill staff, journalists, and reformers with an easy way to access a range of congressional reform resources and recommendations.

The panel, which must issue its final report at the end of this year, is tasked with studying and making recommendations for modernizing Congress. The select committee will hold public hearings and be required to provide an interim status report to the House Administration and Rules committees every 90 days.

Many individuals and organizations have long pushed for House rules reform and the creation of such a committee (or a version thereof). The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress is a major step toward the realization of these ongoing efforts to build congressional capacity and strengthen the institution.

The resource page is a work in progress and will be updated as new information becomes available. Please contact us if you have any questions about Congress or congressional reform and we will be happy to connect you with non-partisan expertise.