APSA Task Force Memorandum: Congressional staffing diversity and retention
To: The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress From: Kathryn Pearson, Chair, University of Minnesota ; Casey Burgat, R Street Institute; Menna… Read More
Video: Behind the committee doors: The staffing traits and trends of Congress’ legislative deal-breakers
Congressional committees are well-known bodies in Washington, D.C. If you are in politics—whether a member, staffer, scholar or… Read More
Congressional staff exit intention
There is increased attention on congressional staff in recent months — from the House forming the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, to members of Congress making headlines… Read More
New report: Who’s on the Hill?
On Capitol Hill, any issue area expertise in committee offices largely stems from the staffers who support each committees’ operations. After all, committee work is only one component of a member’s… 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
LegBranch conversations: An interview with Jaime Harrison
In this edition of LegBranch conversations, Marian Currinder interviews Jaime Harrison about his new book, Climbing the Hill, co-authored with Amos Snead. Harrison and Snead, longtime staff members… Read More
New R Street policy paper: How young lawyers can help restore congressional capacity
Nearly eighty percent of Americans disapprove of the way Congress does its job. Much of the blame can be attributed to its failure to substantively address many of the policy… Read More
Staff have the skills to assist Congress, but they need more resources
By Jennifer L. Selin and Hanna K. Brant At a recent hearing before the House Committee on Rules, Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Representative John Sarbanes… Read More
Video: History of congressional staffing
Congress needs staff to carry out the duties prescribed by the Constitution and demanded by the public. LegBranch.org’s Kevin Kosar discusses how from 1900 to 1990, Congress sporadically… Read More
Congress isn’t paying its interns enough
(Editor’s note: This piece originally appeared in the Washington Post on September 3, 2018.) By Barbara A. Trish Here’s an idea to ponder on Labor Day: Why… Read More