Few Americans think positively of Congress. In recent decades, the First Branch's approval rating has plummeted, and a majority of the country believes that the "people's branch" is out of touch with the people. Political gridlock, a broken budget process, and recent shutdowns certainly don't help.

From the inside, the institution doesn't shine any brighter, with high staff turnover, dwindling policy expertise, and frustrated Members becoming the new normal. In 2019, Congress acknowledged its own need for improvement, and created a temporary select committee in the House focused exclusively on the operational modernization of the body.

Made up of twelve representatives — half Democrats, half Republicans, at all levels of senority and from regions across America — the Select Committee held over fifteen hearings and passed nearly one hundred specific, action-focused recommendations to improve legislative work.

Upon approving their final report, the Members of the Select Committee not only laid a foundation but shared a call to action for the next Congress, class of Members, staff, and non-governmental organizations to pick up the torch.

Our work has just begun.

  • “A well-resourced, high-capacity Congress where employees from diverse backgrounds and experiences can build long careers and expertise is a necessary condition for successful legislating in the years ahead."

    Molly E. Reynolds
    Brookings Institution

    “There is no shortage of good ideas for reform, and it's important that Congress grabs the bull by the horns and begins to implement them."

    Jonathan M. Bydlak
    R Street Institute

    “In order to begin to restore the constitutional republic that the founders envisioned, Congress must invest in itself as an institution."

    Kevin R. Kosar
    American Enterprise Institute
  • “The founders put Congress first, but Congress has often put itself last. The success of our system of government depends on a strong Congress. It's time to get to work."

    Soren Dayton
    Protecting Democracy

    “Congressional modernization is not a box to check; it's the ongoing, essential evolution of tools, systems and processes required to keep pace and remain effective in our increasingly complex, ever-changing world."

    Marci Harris
    POPVOX

    “Only by strengthening the rules and norms by which Congress operates will it be able to deliver the legislative solutions that Americans need and deserve."

    Meredith McGehee
    Issue One
  • “Our investment in Congress is a mirror of our investment in democracy itself."

    Daniel Schuman
    Demand Progress

    “A well-resourced, high-capacity Congress where employees from diverse backgrounds and experiences can build long careers and expertise is a necessary condition for successful legislating in the years ahead."

    Molly E. Reynolds
    Brookings Institution

    “There is no shortage of good ideas for reform, and it's important that Congress grabs the bull by the horns and begins to implement them."

    Jonathan M. Bydlak
    R Street Institute