Voice/Mail: A New Substack on the Future of Constituent Engagement
Voice/Mail, a new Substack from Deputy Director Anne Meeker explores the intersection of civic engagement and technology and how government can keep pace to solicit and act on public opinion.
New Rules Call for Ongoing AI Efforts in the House; Here’s What Lawmakers Should Do Next
The House of Representatives’ new rules package for 2025 emphasizes integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations and enhance legislative functions. To fully realize AI's potential, lawmakers should prioritize revising restrictive IT policies, forming dedicated AI working groups, investing in staff training, and leveraging modernization funds for pilot programs.
Opinion: House Republicans Have the Opportunity to Make the 119th Congress the Most Modern and Pro-Family in Recent History
By modernizing its voting procedures to include a proxy voting option when it adopts new Rules, the House of Representatives would ensure near-universal participation and better prepare Congress to respond to future emergencies, whether they be individual or national in scope.
Recommendations to the 119th Congress on Creating a Strong, Responsive Legislative Branch
Recommendations to help Congress address the “pacing problem,” invest in its workforce, enhance constituent services, foster bipartisanship, and strengthen House operations for a more effective and responsive Legislative branch.
Report: Where Will They All Sit?
A new report from POPVOX Foundation and Protect Democracy explores the idea of expanding not only the US Capitol campus’ physical footprint, but also the chamber’s membership.
Comparing AI Adoption in the US Congress to Legislatures Worldwide
Despite initial momentum, the US Congress risks lagging international counterparts in the adoption of automated technologies. To improve its own operations and keep pace with international counterparts, Congress should work collaboratively to develop a cohesive AI strategy, provide dedicated resources for staff and Member training, remove barriers to the use of commercial and open source tools, and engage more actively in global knowledge-sharing.
Nonpartisan POPVOX Foundation Launches “Gavel In” Podcast to Support the Orientation of Members Elect and Their Staff
POPVOX Foundation is announcing “Gavel In,” a limited-run, explainer podcast series about how Congress works, created especially for freshmen Members of the 119th Congress, their staff, and spouses. Gavel In supplements the House’s official New Member Orientation onboarding so new Members and staff are extra set up for success as they set up their new offices on Capitol Hill and in their districts.
POPVOX Foundation Leads Coalition Calling for the Reauthorization of the Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Modernization
POPVOX Foundation led a crosspartisan coalition of civil society organizations in calling for the continuation of the Subcommittee on Modernization into the 119th Congress and beyond.
Updated: Where the House and Senate Are on Internal AI
While debates continue across Capitol Hill on approaches to regulation of artificial intelligence, institutional offices within the House of Representatives are taking steps to prepare for the impending paradigm shift.
POPVOX Foundation Applauds Passage of Legislation to Improve Government Modernization and Accountability
The passage of H.R. 7592 and H.R. 7593 will bolster the Legislative branch by providing Congress and its support agencies with streamlined, essential data for their operations while also providing cost savings to the American people.
It’s Time to Bring Evidence-Based Policymaking to Congress
A culture of evidence-based policymaking could help rebuild public trust in Congress, increase accountability, and promote transparency, ultimately strengthening the relationship between Congress and the public at large.
POPVOX Foundation Statement on Appointment of Karen E. Donfried as CRS Director
POPVOX Foundation extends our warmest congratulations to Karen E. Donfried on her appointment as the new Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS).
The Washington Times: Supreme Court’s overturning of Chevron doctrine spurs push for changes to how Congress works
POPVOX Foundation is pushing the House to adopt rule changes that will improve its capacity to enact new laws and conduct oversight of existing ones as it grapples with a Supreme Court's Loper Bright decision that will put greater demands on the Legislative branch.
POPVOX Foundation Encourages the House to Create a Chief Data Officer, A Joint Committee on Continuity, and Simpler House Schedule When Adopting Rules for the 119th Congress
POPVOX Foundation’s report provides several proposals that emphasize technological and operational advancements for House lawmakers to consider to help redefine the House’s capabilities to serve constituents and fulfill its Article One mandate.
Committee on House Administration Hearing Explores the House’s Path Forward in a Post-Chevron Congress
The Committee on House Administration’s July 23 hearing, “Congress in Post-Chevron World” focused on Congress constitutional lawmaking power and the need to invest in the First Branch of government.
Response to the House “Collaborative Legislative Drafting Study” Request for Information
Modernizing the legislative drafting process is not just about technology – it's about enhancing democracy itself. By improving the tools and processes used to craft legislation, we can increase transparency, foster better collaboration, and ultimately produce laws that more effectively serve the American people.
Public Witness Testimony on Strengthening Congressional Capacity Post-Chevron to House Committee on Administration
POPVOX Foundation Cofounder and Executive Director Marci Harris submitted public testimony for the Committee on House Administration Hearing: “Congress in a Post-Chevron World.”
Announcing Our New Class of Effective Government Fellows
POPVOX Foundation is thrilled to announce our new class of Effective Government Fellows — Uchenna Offorjebe, Kathryn Luedke, and Nick Dokoozlian.
Getting Members Off the Couch: How New Lodging Policies Are Ensuring That More Than Just the Rich Can Serve in Congress
Allowing Members to be reimbursed for their lodging while in DC for official business further opens the door to people who are not independently wealthy to be able to pursue a career as a lawmaker in the House.
Newsweek: The Supreme Court Is About To Make Congress Reinvent Itself
A post-Chevron world could force Congress to increase its internal capacity, invest in expertise, overhaul its processes, better monitor implementation, and respond more quickly. If not, things could start to break.