Congress’ science and technology knowledge problem
By Kevin R. Kosar “Suppose you were an idiot,” Mark Twain once quipped, “and suppose you were a member… Read More
Testimony: CRS has made great strides, but more improvement needed
Written testimony of Kevin R. Kosar Vice President of Policy, R Street Institute Before the House of Representatives Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee April 2, 2019 Thank you, Chairman Ryan, Ranking… Read More
GAO versus the ghost of OTA: Who will win the science and technology assessment race?
Hardly anyone would argue that Congress is well equipped to make technology policy. Very few members are techies, and let’s face it, innovation is hurtling forward at a mind-blowing pace. Read More
You have 48 hours to become a tech expert. If only this office could help
Silicon Valley loves picking on Washington, D.C., for being inept and slow. But what our friends in the Valley do not acknowledge is that while they can indulge in the… Read More
What to expect from GAO’s new science and technology office
Last week the Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced the formation of a new office to aid Congress in understanding science and… Read More
There’s a new select committee for modernizing Congress. What does it mean for legislative IT?
The House of Representatives voted Friday to establish a Select Committee for the Modernization of Congress. Title II of the House rules package, which includes a provision… Read More
Staff perspectives on the state of constituent correspondence in the U.S. Congress
Recent investigations provide some of the first examinations of the systemic flow of telephone, email, fax, and social media correspondence through Members’ offices. These investigations find little evidence… Read More
ICYMI: Rebuilding a technology assessment office in Congress: Frequently asked questions
Congress is not known for being particularly tech savvy. This reputation comes in part from its quaint anachronisms, such as prominent Members’ desire to eschew email and smartphones,… Read More
Managing constituent correspondence: Implications for congressional learning and citizen advocacy
By Claire Abernathy Constituents contact their elected officials in Washington to express their views on policy, and these incoming contacts represent a potentially useful resource for congressional offices to… Read More
Technology assessment: Can the GAO fulfill the OTA’s mission?
To those who have paid attention to recent technology policy debates in Congress, such as the recent hearings with Mark Zuckerberg, it is obvious that the technology expertise gap… Read More