Constituents now have multiple options for receiving updates from their Representative.
Why This Matters
Constituents communicate with their Members of Congress in a number of ways, including by phone, email, and text message. However, if a Member of Congress wished to initiate outreach to a constituent to spread community news, updates, or information about resources, email is the only way a constituent could receive such updates. This changed in the 118th Congress, when the Communications Standards Commission updated the communications manual to allow Members to offer the ability for constituents to subscribe for updates via other forms of communication, such as text messaging, expanding constituent choice in how they wish to hear from their Representative.
How It Happened
The House Communications Standards Commission, previously known as the Franking Commission, establishes the rules and regulations for the House regarding official mail sent by Representatives. This was a Member-driven change: both Reps. Susan Davis [D, CA] and Rodney Davis [R, IL] testified during ModComs’ Member Hearing Day in 2019 to implore ModCom to examine and update the commission. This resulted in recommendations #39, #40, #41, #42, and #44, and the Communications Standards Manual has been updated to allow constituents the ability to voluntarily subscribe for email and text updates from their Representative, modernizing how Members can keep individuals in their district informed.
The Impact
Not all individuals have access to computers or prefer email as a primary means of communication. As such, by updating the Communications Standards Manual, the House has given constituents a choice in how they wish to receive updates from their Representative. This improves both accessibility of information and the constituent experience, particularly for younger constituents who may prefer messaging-based updates.
Next Steps
The Communications Standards Commission has made laudable modernization progress throughout this decade in updating the Communications Standards Manual to help Members interact with their constituents more effectively. To this end, the Commission should continue to champion efforts to ensure that the House is on the cutting edge of transparent and accountable constituent engagement, particularly in addressing how the use of GenAI powered tools are beginning to impact how we communicate. For example, the Commission should explore updates to the Manual that address use of GenAI-created images and set clear guidance regarding the use of GenAI in drafting mass-communications.
Glossary
ADA = Americans with Disabilities Act
AOC = Architect of the Capitol
CHA = Committee on House Administration
CAO = House Chief Administrative Officer
CDTF = Congressional Data Task Force
COLA = Cost-of-Living Adjustment
CPF = Community Project Funding
CR = Continuing Resolution
GAO = Government Accountability Office
GAO STAA = The Government Accountability Office’s Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics team
GenAI = Generative Artificial Intelligence
HIRO = House Intern Resource Office
HDS = House Digital Service
LIS = Legislative Information Service
LLM = Large Language Model
MIA = Modernization Initiatives Account
ModCom = The House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress
ModSub = Subcommittee on Modernization (ModSub) within the Committee on House Administration
MOU = Memorandum of Understanding
NMO = New Member Orientation
OCWR = Office of Congressional Workplace Rights
