ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Congressional Institute congratulates the U.S. House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress for being extended into the 117th Congress.
“The Selection Committee on the Modernization of Congress has been a shining example of the bipartisanship and problem-solving that can exist when Members put aside politics and work together,” said Congressional Institute President Mark Strand. “Chairman Derek Kilmer and Vice Chair Tom Graves (ret.) got it right from the start, and under their leadership, the committee unanimously made 97 recommendations designed to bring the House into the modern era of technology, human resources, and operations. We look forward to the committee further expanding its work into the legislative process to make Congress effective.”
The Congressional Institute has long advocated for reforms that would incentivize more Members to participate in the legislative process including strengthening the committees, creating an open and transparent system for earmarks, streamlining the budget process, and changing the start of the federal fiscal year to January. Strand testified before the Modernization Committee on the history of congressional reforms. He urged lawmakers to think big and to create a repository of reform ideas that future Congresses could consider.
ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL INSTITUTE
Founded in 1987, the Congressional Institute is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to helping Members of Congress better serve their constituents and helping their constituents better understand the operations of the national legislature. The Institute sponsors major conferences for the benefit of Members of the U.S. Congress as well as a number of smaller gatherings, all devoted to an examination of important policy issues and strategic planning. The Institute also conducts important research projects consistent with its mission, develops resources such as a House Floor Procedures Manual and sponsors Oxford-style bipartisan Congressional debates.
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