Tag: House Select Committee on Modernization of Congress

With Congress in Disarray, Phillips Brings Reforming Spirit to Select Committee on Modernization

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Phillips: “I have never encountered an organization so utterly dysfunctional and in need of reformation as our Congress.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) announced that he will join the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. As a new member of the Select Committee, Phillips will draw upon his extensive entrepreneurial experience to advance ideas, processes, and technologies that foster cooperation and restore Americans’ faith in government.

“Over my 30-year career in business and philanthropy, I observed hundreds of organizations, institutions, and enterprises throughout the world. I have never encountered one so utterly dysfunctional and in need of reformation as our Congress. A system that elevates dividers and ignores uniters, that promotes those who raise the most money for their party and sidelines those who raise the best ideas for their country, and that over appreciates tenure and under appreciates talent, makes a mockery of our Founders’ greatest contributions. It’s time for Congress to value winning policies over winning elections,” said Phillips.

The bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress was created in 2019 and tasked with making recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Congress. After months of hearings, the Select Committee released 29 recommendations, including one inspired by Rep. Phillips to overhaul the onboarding process for freshmen members so that newly-elected Republicans and Democrats – who are normally separated by political party – spend more time together. 

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Never mind impeachment, this bipartisan committee is going forward

House modernization panel prepares for its second year

Amid the partisan polarization of impeachment, the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress began examining possible changes Thursday to the chamber’s rules and procedures, seeking out ideas to make the legislative branch function better.

The panel, a temporary and bipartisan project to revamp Congress for the modern era, is tasked with offering recommendations about how to update technological savvy on Capitol Hill and how to improve the quality of work for lawmakers and staff. It began earlier this year as a one-year effort but will now carry on through next year with a fresh infusion of funds, and through the divisive 2020 elections.

Perhaps as a tangible example of some lawmakers’ job dissatisfaction, the hearing came just hours after the committee’s top Republican, Tom Graves of Georgia, announced he would not seek re-election in 2020.

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