Modernizing Congress

Congress represents a national cross section of our nation and should be leveraging America’s creativity and knowledge in the policy process to benefit us all. Today, lived experience and structured data should fuel the digital infrastructure of a modern representative system. Congress recently created a Modernization Committee and Members of Congress have piloted new open methods in the lawmaking process.  The pandemic, followed by the threat of violence in the Capitol have accelerated tech and data adoption. Indeed the first mover space has never been greater to fully tap  innovation in the legislative and deliberative functions of the People’s House. 

Our “how to”  guides help congressional staffers and representatives understand and implement digital tools that benefit democracy. Our research involves surfacing expertise from communities across the country to inform congressional decisions. This work is especially vital to strengthen democracy and build legitimacy on behalf of democratic institutions.   Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has required the government to quickly leverage digital technology to conduct its business remotely and through electronic workflow methods.  These changes not only make our institutions more resilient, they democratize participation and hold the potential to make Congress  significantly more representative.