How important is expertise and experience in Congress?
From Politics in Question, a podcast by Julia Azari (Marquette University), Lee Drutman (New America), and James Wallner (R Street Institute): This episode Alexander C. Furnas joins Julia, Lee,… Read More
New report: Congressional Brain Drain
A new report from New America by Alexandra Furnas and Timothy LaPira examines legislative capacity in the 21st century. Executive Summary This research report comprehensively investigates congressional capacity… Read More
What are House staffers doing during the pandemic?
RollCall’s Katherine Tully-McManus writes: House members on both sides of the aisle responded with disbelief when asked by CQ Roll Call if they too were considering layoffs while the… Read More
Broad coalition urges House appropriators to raise staff compensation
March 4, 2020 Hon. Nita Lowey, ChairwomanU.S. House Committee on AppropriationsThe Capitol, Room H-307Washington, D.C. 20515 Hon. Kay Granger, Ranking MemberU.S. House Committee on AppropriationsThe Capitol, Room H-307Washington, D.C. 20515 Hon. Tim… Read More
ICYMI: Higher pay possible for House employees
Source: e-Dear Colleague letter of January 27, 2020 Revised Maximum Rate of Pay for Employees in Member, Committee, Leadership, and House Support Offices Sending Office: Chief Administrative Officer of the… Read More
House staffing in four charts
Source: Kevin R. Kosar, Testimony before the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, January 14, 2020. Read More
APSA congressional reform task force report
Download the report. Read More
Hearing on growing government, diminishing congressional capacity, and strengthening Congress
The Select Committee on the modernization of Congress held a hearing yesterday. The topic was “restoring capacity and equipping Congress to better serve the American people.” Posted below… Read More
Losing staff can make you a less effective lawmaker
The modern Congress is, in many ways, held together by a cadre of talented, but under-resourced, professionals. As the lawmaking environment continues to grow more complex, congressional offices… Read More