Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress

Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress
Congress	116th–118th
Chamber	United States House of Representatives
Name	Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress
Established	January 4, 2019
Website	https://modernizecongress.house.gov/

Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress is a temporary House panel established to examine and propose reforms to the internal operations of the United States Congress. Created at the start of the 116th United States Congress in 2019, its mandate is to recommend changes to improve efficiency, transparency, and bipartisanship within the legislative branch. The committee operates with an equal partisan membership and has produced numerous consensus-based reports aimed at modernizing congressional procedure and technology.

History and establishment

The committee was established on January 4, 2019, by H.Res.6, a rules package adopted by the Democratic-controlled 116th United States Congress. Its creation was championed by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi and received broad bipartisan support, reflecting widespread concern over the institution's declining public approval and operational inefficiencies. The initial authorization was for the duration of the 116th United States Congress, but its work was later extended through subsequent Congresses, including the 117th United States Congress and the 118th United States Congress. Its formation followed earlier reform efforts like the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress and recommendations from external groups like the Select Committee on Benghazi.

Membership and leadership

The committee is composed of twelve members, equally divided between the Democratic and Republican parties. It has been co-chaired since its inception by Representative Derek Kilmer of Washington and, initially, Representative Tom Graves of Georgia, who was succeeded by Representative William Timmons of South Carolina. Other notable members have included Vice Chair Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, and Rodney Davis of Illinois. This equal partisan structure is designed to foster a collaborative environment distinct from the often polarized committees like the House Rules Committee or the House Appropriations Committee.

Key areas of focus and recommendations

The committee's investigations have centered on several core areas: modernizing information technology, improving staff recruitment and retention, enhancing legislative process transparency, and fostering bipartisanship. Key recommendations have included creating a centralized technology service for the House of Representatives, establishing a bipartisan committee retreat system, reforming the congressional calendar, and implementing a digital dashboard for tracking legislation. Many proposals aim to address issues identified by entities like the Congressional Research Service and the Government Accountability Office, seeking to bring parliamentary procedure into the 21st century.

Legislative impact and implementation

While the committee itself does not report legislation, its consensus recommendations have spurred action within the House Administration Committee and other standing committees. Significant implemented reforms include the creation of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, updates to the House.gov website, and rules changes to allow for remote work by congressional staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Civic Information Consortium Act and provisions within various appropriations bills have also incorporated its ideas. Implementation is often overseen by the Committee on House Administration and the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.

Hearings and public engagement

The committee has held numerous hearings, both in-person and virtually, gathering testimony from a wide array of witnesses. These have included former members like David E. Price and Zoe Lofgren, experts from the Congressional Management Foundation, the Bipartisan Policy Center, and the National Academy of Public Administration, as well as current congressional staffers. Public engagement is facilitated through its official website and social media channels, where it publishes hearing transcripts and interim reports, aiming to demystify operations often associated with more secretive panels like the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Future outlook and challenges

The committee's future is contingent on periodic reauthorization by the House of Representatives. Its greatest challenge remains securing the sustained political will and appropriations necessary to enact its often-technical recommendations amidst a polarized political environment. Long-term success depends on continued bipartisan cooperation, support from leadership like the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the ability to demonstrate tangible improvements to the public and members serving on powerful committees like the House Committee on Ways and Means. Its work is seen as a critical test for the institutional capacity of Congress to self-reform.

Category:United States House of Representatives committees Category:2019 establishments in the United States