Members of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress introduce reform legislation
Legislation includes nearly 30 recommendations made unanimously by the Select Committee this year
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 five sections of reform which include: Streamlining And Reorganizing Human Resources, Improving Orientation for Members-Elect and Providing Improved Continuing Education Opportunities For Members, Modernizing and Revitalizing Technology, Making the House Accessible to All, and Improving Access to Documents and Publications. The Select Committee does not have legislative authority, but each committee member co-sponsored this legislative text, led by Chair Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Vice Chair Tom Graves (R-GA), to signal their strong support for delivering real reform in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Select Committee will work with the Committee on House Administration and other relevant committees of jurisdiction to see these recommendations implemented once the legislation passes the House.
“We’ve passed nearly 30 unanimous bipartisan recommendations to make Congress work better for the American people, and today is just the latest step in our work to bring real reform to the People’s House,” said Chair Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Vice Chair Tom Graves (R-GA). “We are grateful to our colleagues in the House who have been supportive of our work to turn our recommendations into results. We intend to keep identifying areas for reform and building on this legislative momentum throughout the next year.”
Created by an overwhelming bipartisan vote at the beginning of the 116th Congress, the Select Committee was tasked to produce recommendations on rules to promote a more modern and efficient Congress; procedures, including the schedule and calendar; policies to develop the next generation of leaders; staff recruitment, diversity, retention, and compensation and benefits; administrative efficiencies, including purchasing, travel, outside services, and shared administrative staff; technology and innovation; and the work of the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards.
Since March the Select Committee has held 14 hearings and numerous Member and staff-level briefings and listening sessions to solicit ideas and recommendations for reforming the legislative branch. On a rolling basis throughout the year, the Select Committee issued recommendations and shared ideas for reform on a bipartisan basis. Last month, after widespread bipartisan support throughout Capitol Hill, the Select Committee and its work was extended 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.
| Topics: | Reform Efforts |