[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H1567-H1574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MOVING OUR DEMOCRACY AND CONGRESSIONAL OPERATIONS TOWARDS MODERNIZATION
RESOLUTION
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 756) implementing recommendations adopted by
the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 756
Resolved,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This resolution may be cited as the
``Moving Our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards
Modernization Resolution''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this
resolution is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--STREAMLINING AND REORGANIZING HUMAN RESOURCES
Sec. 101. Centralized human resources program.
Sec. 102. Reports on operation of Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Sec. 103. Examining feasibility of updating staff payroll system.
Sec. 104. Examining feasibility of adjusting the statutory limitation
on number of employees of Member offices.
Sec. 105. Employee orientation and separation processes.
TITLE II--IMPROVING ORIENTATION FOR MEMBERS-ELECT AND PROVIDING
IMPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS
Sec. 201. Plan for providing for designated staff to prepare for
operation of offices of new Members-elect.
Sec. 202. Improving the orientation experience of new Members.
Sec. 203. Exploring the feasibility of establishing a Congressional
Leadership Academy.
Sec. 204. Requiring annual cybersecurity training for Members and
employees.
TITLE III--MODERNIZING AND REVITALIZING TECHNOLOGY
Sec. 301. Reforming House Information Resources.
Sec. 302. Providing technologies to improve constituent engagement.
Sec. 303. Streamlined approval process for outside technology vendors.
Sec. 304. Enabling early adoption of new technologies and applications
by offices.
Sec. 305. Improving Member feedback regarding outside vendors and HIR
services.
Sec. 306. Leveraging bulk purchasing power of the House.
Sec. 307. Requiring Congressional Research Service to provide rapid
response short fact sheets.
Sec. 308. Establishing nonpartisan constituent engagement and services
page on HouseNet.
TITLE IV--MAKING THE HOUSE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
Sec. 401. Ensuring accessibility of House websites.
Sec. 402. Close captioning of proceedings; captioning service for
videos created by House offices.
Sec. 403. Comprehensive review of accessibility.
TITLE V--IMPROVING ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS
Sec. 501. Adopting standardized format for legislative documents.
Sec. 502. Legislation comparison project.
Sec. 503. Database of information on expiration of authorizations of
programs.
Sec. 504. Database of votes taken in committees.
Sec. 505. Assignment of unique identifiers for reports filed by
registered lobbyists.
Sec. 506. Public availability of reports.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this resolution, the following definitions apply:
(1) The term ``Chief Administrative Officer'' means the
Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives.
(2) The term ``Clerk'' means the Clerk of the House of
Representatives.
(3) The term ``HIR'' means the Office of House Information
Resources.
(4) The term ``Member'' means a Member of the House of
Representatives and a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to
the Congress.
TITLE I--STREAMLINING AND REORGANIZING HUMAN RESOURCES
SEC. 101. CENTRALIZED HUMAN RESOURCES PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment and Operation of Program.--In order to
improve recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce,
develop best human resources practices, and take steps to
improve competitive compensation and benefits for employees,
the Chief Administrative Officer shall establish and operate
a centralized human resources program to assist Member,
committee, and leadership office staff.
(b) Features of Program.--The program established under
this section shall provide the following services:
(1) Developing a centralized repository of practices
collected from internal and external sources that have proven
to be successful in hiring, promoting, and managing staff,
updated from time to time.
(2) Improving diversity recruitment by implementing and
promoting best practices for actively seeking out candidates
of various backgrounds, experiences, and talents, including
through outreach to under-represented colleges and
universities, community colleges, historically black colleges
and universities, and organizations for individuals with
disabilities, and compiling a list of such candidates into
the House resume portal.
(3) Reevaluating current Member, committee, and leadership
office employee benefits (including the evaluation of the
capacity and costs of the House child care center and student
loan repayment program) and submitting to the Committee on
House Administration on a regular and ongoing basis
recommendations for additions or improvements to such
benefits which will improve recruitment and retention,
exploring options such as telework, flex schedules,
returnship programs, and sabbaticals.
(4) Conducting a biennial staff survey as well as offering
an optional exit survey to Member, committee, and leadership
office staff.
(5) Making improvements to the House resume portal,
including making such portal into a user-friendly, searchable
tool for Member, committee, and leadership offices to
identify talent based on unique criteria, and including ways
to promote and publicize the existence and availability of
such portal to internal and external users.
(6) Providing Members-elect with information on the full
range of services offered to their staff in an easily
understandable and organized format immediately following the
certification of their election results.
(c) Operation of Program.--
(1) Staff.--The Chief Administrative Officer shall
designate an employee of the Office of the Chief
Administrative Officer who shall be responsible for the
operation of the program established under this section,
using existing staff and resources of the Office.
(2) Location; availability of services online.--The program
shall be located in a physical location which is easily
accessible to the offices using the resources of the program,
and shall provide an online portal through which offices may
obtain these services.
(d) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations and take any other steps as may be required
to carry out this section.
SEC. 102. REPORTS ON OPERATION OF OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND
INCLUSION.
In accordance with House Resolution 6 (agreed to January 9,
2019), the Office of Diversity and Inclusion of the House of
Representatives shall submit the following plans and reports:
(1) Not later than 60 days after the appointment of the
Director of the Office, the Office shall submit to the
Committee on House Administration an operational plan for the
Office that shall include, consistent with applicable House
rules, regulations, and law, a plan for appointing and
establishing duties for staff of the Office which shall set
forth a proposed maximum number of staff.
(2) Not later than 90 days after submitting the operational
plan under paragraph (1), the Office shall submit a diversity
plan to the Committee on House Administration for the
Committee's review and approval, and shall include in the
plan the following:
(A) Policies to direct and guide House employing offices to
recruit, hire, train, develop, advance, promote, and retain a
diverse workforce, consistent with applicable House rules,
regulations, and law.
(B) The development of a survey, in consultation with the
Committee on House Administration, to evaluate diversity in
House employing offices. The Office shall develop, conduct,
and report the results of the survey in a bipartisan manner.
(C) A framework for the annual diversity report required
under paragraph (3).
(D) A proposal for the composition of an Advisory Council
that shall, as necessary, inform the work of the Office.
(E) Any additional components as determined by the
Committee on House Administration.
(3) At the end of each session of Congress, the Office
shall submit a House of Representatives diversity report to
the Speaker, the
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Majority Leader and Minority Leader, the chair and ranking
minority member of the Committee on House Administration, and
the chair and ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on
the Legislative Branch of the Committee on Appropriations.
The Office shall ensure that the contents of each such report
are presented in a bipartisan manner.
SEC. 103. EXAMINING FEASIBILITY OF UPDATING STAFF PAYROLL
SYSTEM.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
adoption of this resolution, the Chief Administrative Officer
shall submit to the Committee on House Administration a
report on the feasibility of updating the employee payroll
system in order to address considerations of younger and
lower-paid employees, as well as issues experienced generally
by some employees regarding the current monthly pay schedule.
(b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a)
shall include the following:
(1) The results of any employee surveys regarding the
desirability of changing the employee payroll system or
providing both a monthly or bimonthly system. The report
shall present such results in a bipartisan manner.
(2) An analysis of any costs associated with making changes
to the current employee payroll system, including providing
additional options for the schedule of payments.
(3) An analysis of any impediments or concerns with making
any changes to the current staff payroll system.
(c) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 104. EXAMINING FEASIBILITY OF ADJUSTING THE STATUTORY
LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES OF MEMBER
OFFICES.
(a) Requirement.--The Chief Administrative Officer shall
enter into a contract with an outside entity under which the
entity shall work with the Chief Administrative Officer to
prepare and submit a report examining the feasibility of
adjusting the statutory limitation established in 1975 on the
number of employees who may be employed in the office of a
Member.
(b) Contents of Report.--The report described in subsection
(a) shall include the following:
(1) Information regarding the size and demographic makeup
of each congressional district, including the number and
coverage area of each district office.
(2) The average number of employees for each district
office, including common tasks by position.
(3) Recommendations regarding the optimal number of
employees in both offices located in House office buildings
and district offices to address common office workflows and
constituent requests, including changes in technology that
have occurred recently and are expected to occur in the near
future that would have an effect on such number.
(4) Recommendations regarding employee salaries and costs,
including recommendations for necessary changes to the
Members' Representational Allowance that would be necessary
to carry out such recommendations.
(c) Deadlines.--
(1) Provision of draft solicitation for contract.--Not
later than 60 days after the date of adoption of this
resolution, the Chief Administrative Officer shall provide a
draft of the solicitation for the contract described in
subsection (a) to the Committee of House Administration.
(2) Submission of report.--Under the contract entered into
pursuant to this section, the entity shall submit the report
not later than 180 days after the signing of the contract.
SEC. 105. EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION AND SEPARATION PROCESSES.
(a) Establishment of Processes.--The Committee on House
Administration shall design and implement--
(1) a comprehensive and uniform orientation process for new
employees (including interns) of the House to complete within
a designated period of time after appointment; and
(2) a comprehensive and uniform separation process for
employees (including interns) of the House to complete within
a designated period of time prior to termination.
(b) Applicability.--The processes under subsection (a)
shall apply only to employees and interns who have access to
the House Network.
(c) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations or take any other steps as may be required
to carry out this section.
TITLE II--IMPROVING ORIENTATION FOR MEMBERS-ELECT AND PROVIDING
IMPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS
SEC. 201. PLAN FOR PROVIDING FOR DESIGNATED STAFF TO PREPARE
FOR OPERATION OF OFFICES OF NEW MEMBERS-ELECT.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, the Chief Administrative
Officer shall submit a report to the Committee on House
Administration that contains a detailed plan for establishing
a program under which, upon the recommendation of an
individual by a Member-elect (other than a Member elected to
fill a vacancy), the Chief Administrative Officer shall
appoint the individual for a limited period of time to assist
such Member-elect with administrative and other
responsibilities pertaining to the preparation of the
Member's congressional office for operation, and shall
include in the plan a timetable for implementation, an
estimate of expected costs, and the identification of any
statutory or regulatory obstacles to the implementation of
such a program.
(b) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 202. IMPROVING THE ORIENTATION EXPERIENCE OF NEW
MEMBERS.
(a) In General.--In providing orientation services for new
Members, including in-person courses and sessions, the
Committee on House Administration shall carry out the
following:
(1) The Committee shall work to ensure that orientation
services are made available to all new Members, including
Members elected in a special election during a Congress.
(2) The Committee shall work to ensure that courses on the
Rules of the House, decorum and debate, and other such
courses on practices to promote civility and respect are made
available to Members.
(3) The Committee shall work to ensure that archived audio
and visual recordings of orientation sessions are made
available for reference.
(4) The Committee shall work to provide a range of House
training programs and support services, including courses to
promote civility and encourage decorum, for new Members and
the senior staff of new Members throughout the Members' first
term.
(5) To the extent the Committee considers appropriate, the
Committee shall examine the feasibility of providing a ``just
in time'' approach to orientation sessions under which
information is provided at the time at which it will be most
useful to the Members.
(b) Providing Services in Nonpartisan Manner.--To the
greatest extent practicable, the Committee on House
Administration shall ensure that the orientation services
provided to new Members, including in-person courses and
sessions, are provided in a nonpartisan manner.
(c) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations or take any other steps as may be required
to carry out this section.
SEC. 203. EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A
CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.
(a) Survey of Members.--The Chief Administrative Officer
shall conduct a survey of Members to determine the level of
interest in establishing a Congressional Leadership Academy
to provide online and in-person continuing education
opportunities that will promote professional development and
institutional training, including the feasibility of setting
up a pilot program to establish such an Academy.
(b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
adoption of this resolution, the Chief Administrative Officer
shall submit a report to the Committee on House
Administration on the results of the survey conducted under
subsection (a), and shall include in the estimates of costs
of establishing and operating a Congressional Leadership
Academy as well as any impediments to establishing such an
Academy, including impediments relating to technology,
security, or content.
SEC. 204. REQUIRING ANNUAL CYBERSECURITY TRAINING FOR MEMBERS
AND EMPLOYEES.
(a) Requirement for Training.--The Chief Administrative
Officer shall carry out a cybersecurity training program
under which each individual who has access to the House
Network (including each Member, officer, employee, intern,
and vendor of the House) annually receives an appropriate
amount of cybersecurity training.
(b) Deadlines for Individuals Not Having Prior Access to
Network.--An individual described in subsection (a) who has
not previously had access to the House Network shall complete
the cybersecurity training program under such subsection not
later than 30 days after the individual first has access to
the House Network.
(c) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations or take any other steps as may be required
to carry out this section.
TITLE III--MODERNIZING AND REVITALIZING TECHNOLOGY
SEC. 301. REFORMING HOUSE INFORMATION RESOURCES.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, the Chief Administrative
Officer shall submit a report to the Committee on House
Administration on the operations of the Office of House
Information Resources. Such report shall include--
(1) the identification of solutions to address the
challenges HIR faces in balancing the needs between network
security and making available emerging technologies in a
timely manner to satisfy the operational needs of Member
offices, including a detailed marketing and communications
plan to address gaps and disruptions that exist in the
seamless delivery of services between HIR and the offices it
supports;
(2) recommendations to improve the quality of HIR services,
such as web design and information technology support;
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(3) recommendations for changes to HIR's mission to better
align it with the needs of Member offices;
(4) methods to reduce duplicative spending on information
technology services; and
(5) the identification of steps and actions necessary to
ensure that HIR establishes a single point-of-contact within
HIR for each office of the House so that such point-of-
contact is responsible for responding to requests from the
office and coordinating the delivery of products and services
to the office, as well as an analysis of the advantages and
disadvantages of the use of a single point-of-contact for
such purposes.
(b) Conducting Outside Review.--The Committee on House
Administration may direct the Chief Administrative Officer to
enter into a contract with an outside entity to provide the
Committee with an independent review of the operations of HIR
and to provide independent recommendations to the Committee
regarding strategies and steps for reforming HIR's
operations.
(c) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations or take any other steps as may be required
to address the report submitted by the Chief Administrative
Officer under subsection (a) and, if applicable, the
recommendations provided by an outside entity pursuant to the
contract entered into under subsection (b).
SEC. 302. PROVIDING TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE CONSTITUENT
ENGAGEMENT.
The Committee on House Administration may issue regulations
or take any other steps as may be required to ensure that
Member offices have the necessary technology and software to
improve the efficiency and operation of Member offices and to
improve constituent engagement, including, as soon as
practicable after the date of the adoption of this
resolution, the implementation of the following:
(1) The ability of House offices to conduct video calls and
video conferences.
(2) The ability of Members to sign legislation,
correspondence, and constituent consent forms using
electronic signatures, in accordance with guidance developed
in coordination with the Clerk of the House of
Representatives.
(3) The ability of Members and employees to securely and
seamlessly access the House Network from any place and at any
time.
(4) A plan and timetable to improve the correspondence
management tools available to Member offices, including
improving the ability of the constituents of a Member to
upload requests for casework directly to the Member's
official public website.
SEC. 303. STREAMLINED APPROVAL PROCESS FOR OUTSIDE TECHNOLOGY
VENDORS.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, HIR shall submit a report to
the Committee on House Administration describing the steps
necessary to create a streamlined process for the approval of
outside technology, including a discussion of unique legal,
statutory, or other considerations relating to the House
environment, costs, obstacles to creating and operating such
an approval process, and security or other issues relating to
such a process.
(b) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 304. ENABLING EARLY ADOPTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND
APPLICATIONS BY OFFICES.
(a) Requirement.--Not later that 120 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, HIR shall submit a report to
the Committee on House Administration on establishing a
program under which Member, committee, and leadership offices
may elect to participate in the early adoption of
technologies or applications developed by an outside vendor
prior to the final approval by the House of the use of such
technology or application for such offices, and shall include
in the report a description of the steps necessary to set up
such a program, the operation of such program, the
identification of additional costs that may be incurred by
such a program, and the identification of the steps necessary
to ensure security and steps necessary to protect against
jeopardizing the House enterprise.
(b) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 305. IMPROVING MEMBER FEEDBACK REGARDING OUTSIDE VENDORS
AND HIR SERVICES.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, HIR shall submit a report to
the Committee on House Administration on the steps necessary
to--
(1) in compliance with applicable Rules of the House of
Representatives and other regulations and standards of the
House, create an internal customer satisfaction portal on
HouseNet that allows Members and employees to rate and review
outside vendors and HIR services;
(2) annually survey district-level staff and district-
specific technology concerns; and
(3) survey Members and employees on what technologies they
would like to use.
(b) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 306. LEVERAGING BULK PURCHASING POWER OF THE HOUSE.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, the Chief Administrative
Officer shall submit a report to the Committee on House
Administration on the steps necessary to provide a standard
suite of information technology (as described in subsection
(b)) for the use of offices of Members of the House,
including various packages and options, and shall include in
the report an analysis of alternative methods for funding the
purchase of such a suite, including increasing the Members'
Representational Allowances or creating additional accounts.
The report shall also include a detailed marketing and
communications plan, including strategies to disseminate
information regarding the standard suite to Member offices.
(b) Contents of Standard Suite.--The standard suite of
information technology described in this subsection consists
of the following, in such quantity and with such features as
the Chief Administrative Officer determines to be appropriate
to enable offices of Members of the House to quickly and
effectively carry out their operations in a cost-effective
manner:
(1) Desktop and portable computers, including hardware,
software, and related equipment and supplies.
(2) Mobile and stationary telephones, including related
equipment and supplies.
(3) Printers, including hardware, software, and related
equipment and supplies.
(4) Internet products and services, including website
development and administration services.
(5) Related information technology and telecommunications
services, including technical support and customer service.
(6) Subscriptions and subscription services.
(c) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 307. REQUIRING CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE TO PROVIDE
RAPID RESPONSE SHORT FACT SHEETS.
The Committee on House Administration shall work closely
with the Congressional Research Service to ensure that the
Service has the capability to rapidly provide short,
nonpartisan fact sheets which may be disseminated by Member
offices.
SEC. 308. ESTABLISHING NONPARTISAN CONSTITUENT ENGAGEMENT AND
SERVICES PAGE ON HOUSENET.
The Committee on House Administration may issue
regulations, or take any other steps as may be required, to
establish a nonpartisan constituent engagement and services
page on HouseNet which will better disseminate best practices
and ideas regarding ways to optimize and improve constituent
engagement and service.
TITLE IV--MAKING THE HOUSE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
SEC. 401. ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY OF HOUSE WEBSITES.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, the Chief Administrative
Officer shall submit a report to the Committee on House
Administration detailing a plan to ensure that all House
websites and applications are accessible. Such report shall
include--
(1) a schedule for analyzing all House websites and
applications to determine the accessibility level of each
such website and application;
(2) an analysis of the resources and assistance necessary
to ensure all relevant systems are compatible with common
programs used by major disability groups; and
(3) a plan to ensure that all updates to such websites and
applications, as well as new websites and applications, are
accessible.
(b) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 402. CLOSE CAPTIONING OF PROCEEDINGS; CAPTIONING SERVICE
FOR VIDEOS CREATED BY HOUSE OFFICES.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, the Chief Administrative
Officer and the Clerk shall submit a report to the Committee
on House Administration detailing a plan to ensure that all
House proceedings that are broadcast on television or
streamed on the Internet provide closed caption services, and
provide a free captioning service for all web videos created
by Member, committee, and leadership offices, as well as the
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer and the Office of
the Clerk. Such report shall include--
(1) a statement of the estimated costs of providing close
captioning services for all such proceedings;
(2) a statement of the estimated costs of providing
captioning service for all such web videos;
(3) an estimated timeline for carrying out the plan; and
(4) a discussion of any barriers to carrying out the plan,
including statutory or regulatory impediments.
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(b) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 403. COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ACCESSIBILITY.
(a) Report on Accessibility of United States Capitol
Buildings and Grounds.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the adoption of this resolution, the Architect of the
Capitol, the Sergeant at Arms of the House of
Representatives, and the Executive Director of the Office of
Congressional Workplace Rights, shall provide a joint report
to the Committee on House Administration identifying areas of
the Capitol buildings and the United States Capitol Grounds
that are not currently accessible, the estimated costs of
making such areas accessible, including a timetable and plan
for making accessibility modifications, and a discussion of
future challenges to ensuring full accessibility.
(b) Report on Accessibility of Practices and Programming.--
Not later than 180 days after the date of the adoption of
this resolution, the Chief Administrative Officer, in
consultation with the Director of the Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services and the Librarian of Congress, shall
submit a report to the Committee on House Administration
evaluating the accessibility of the practices and programming
used by offices of the legislative branch to serve the needs
of individuals with disabilities.
(c) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
TITLE V--IMPROVING ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS
SEC. 501. ADOPTING STANDARDIZED FORMAT FOR LEGISLATIVE
DOCUMENTS.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, the Clerk shall submit a
report to the Committee on House Administration regarding the
status of the overall implementation and adoption of a
standardized format for drafting, viewing, and publishing
legislation to improve transparency and efficiency throughout
the lawmaking process, specifically including the status of
the overall implementation of the Extensible Markup Language,
or XML, schema known as United States Legislative Markup.
(b) Initial Report.--The report required under subsection
(a) shall include a detailed plan for completing the overall
implementation and adoption of the format described in such
subsection, including a timeline, a statement of the costs
incurred as of the date of such report, and a statement of
the expected costs anticipated to be incurred in the future.
(c) Quarterly Reports.--Not later than 15 days after the
last day of each calendar quarter that begins after the
submission of the report under subsection (a), the Clerk
shall submit to the Committee on House Administration a
status report on the progress made during that quarter
regarding the overall implementation and adoption of the
format described in such subsection, including any updates to
the timeline and to the costs incurred during that quarter
and expected to be incurred in the future, and a detailed
account of actions taken to implement and adopt the format
during the quarter covered by the report.
(d) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 502. LEGISLATION COMPARISON PROJECT.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, the Clerk shall submit a
report to the Committee on House Administration regarding the
status of the completion of the legislative comparison
project required by clause 12 of rule XXI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives
(b) Initial Report.--The report required in under
subsection (a) shall include a detailed plan for completing
the legislative comparison project, including a timeline, a
statement of the costs incurred as of the date of the report,
and a statement of the expected costs anticipated to be
incurred in the future.
(c) Quarterly Reports.--Not later than 15 days after the
last day of each calendar quarter that begins after the
submission of the report under subsection (a), the Clerk
shall submit to the Committee on House Administration a
status report on the progress made during that quarter
regarding the completion of the legislative comparison
project, including any updates to the timeline and to the
costs incurred during that quarter and expected to be
incurred in the future, and a detailed account of actions
taken to complete the legislative comparison project during
the quarter covered by the report.
(d) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 503. DATABASE OF INFORMATION ON EXPIRATION OF
AUTHORIZATIONS OF PROGRAMS.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, the Clerk shall submit a
report to the Committee on House Administration regarding the
establishment and maintenance, on its public website, of an
up-to-date database that is searchable, sortable, and
downloadable of the expiration dates of all Federal programs
and the primary committee of subject matter jurisdiction over
each such program.
(b) Initial Report.--The report required under subsection
(a) shall include a detailed plan for the completion and
implementation of such database, including a timeline and a
statement of ongoing and expected costs of development and
implementation, any necessary legal or legislative
authorities, as well as any barriers or difficulties
identified regarding the completion and operation of the
database. Such report shall also include a discussion and
recommendations on ensuring that such database--
(1) is updated on a continual and ongoing basis, including
requiring that the Clerk posts all relevant all information
not later than 30 days after receipt; and
(2) includes information provided by standing and select
committees (except the Committee on Appropriations, the
Committee on Ethics, the Committee on Rules, and the
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence), as well as
recommendations to ensure that such committees provide the
required information on a timely and regular basis.
(c) Annual Reports.--Not later than 15 days after the last
day of each calendar year that begins after the submission of
the report under subsection (a), the Clerk shall submit to
the Committee on House Administration a report regarding the
progress made regarding the establishment and maintenance of
the database described in such subsection, including any
updates to the timeline and to the costs incurred or expected
to be incurred (as required under subsection (b)), and a
detailed account of actions taken to establish and maintain
the database during the year covered by the report.
(d) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 504. DATABASE OF VOTES TAKEN IN COMMITTEES.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, the Clerk shall submit a
report to the Committee on House Administration regarding the
establishment and maintenance, on its public website, of a
separate database for the 116th Congress and each subsequent
Congress of all recorded votes in committees (except for
recorded votes taken by any committee in executive session or
recorded votes which, under applicable rules of the
committee, are not required to be made publicly available)
that is sortable, up-to-date, and downloadable.
(b) Initial Report.--The report required under subsection
(a) shall include a detailed plan for completion and
implementation of the database described in such subsection,
including a timeline and a statement of the ongoing and
expected costs of development and implementation, any
necessary legal or legislative authorities, as well as any
barriers or difficulties identified regarding the completion
and operation of the database. Such report shall also include
a discussion and recommendations on ensuring that such
database--
(1) is updated on a continual and ongoing basis; and
(2) requires each standing and select committee to provide
to the Clerk with information respecting recorded votes taken
in that committee (excluding votes which are not required to
be included in the database) within 72 hours of such vote, to
include a brief description of the matter on which the
recorded vote was taken, the name of each Member of the
committee voting on that matter, whether the vote was in the
affirmative or the negative, and the total tally of the
votes.
(c) Quarterly Reports.--Not later than 15 days after the
last day of each calendar quarter that begins after the
submission of the report under subsection (a), the Clerk
shall submit to the Committee on House Administration a
report regarding the progress made regarding the
establishment and maintenance of the database described in
such subsection, including any updates to the detailed
timeline and to the costs incurred or expected to be incurred
(as required under subsection (b)), and a detailed account of
actions taken to establish and maintain the database during
for the quarter covered by the report.
(d) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 505. ASSIGNMENT OF UNIQUE IDENTIFIERS FOR REPORTS FILED
BY REGISTERED LOBBYISTS.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
the adoption of this resolution, the Clerk shall submit a
report to the Committee on House Administration regarding the
status of assigning a unique identification number with
respect to each person who files a registration statement or
other report required to be filed with the Clerk
[[Page H1571]]
under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et
seq.), to be used for all purposes under such Act (including
the public availability of such statements and reports) with
respect to each statement or report required to be filed by
that person with the Clerk.
(b) Initial Report.--The report required under subsection
(a) shall include a detailed plan for assigning the unique
identification numbers described in such subsection,
including a timeline, a statement of the ongoing and expected
costs of carrying out such plan, and a description of any
obstacles to carrying out the plan (including obstacles
relating to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 or other
laws).
(c) Quarterly Reports.--Not later than 15 days after the
last day of each calendar quarter that begins after the
submission of the report under subsection (a), the Clerk
shall submit to the Committee on House Administration a
report regarding the progress made regarding the overall
implementation of the assignment of the unique identification
numbers described in such subsection, including any updates
to the timeline and to the costs incurred or expected to be
incurred as required under subsection (b) and a detailed
account of actions taken to carry out the assignment of such
unique identification numbers during for the quarter covered
by the report.
(d) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration may
issue regulations to carry out any recommendations made in
the report required under subsection (a) or take any other
steps as may be required to carry out this section.
SEC. 506. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF REPORTS.
The Committee on House Administration shall take all steps
practicable to make any report required under this resolution
publicly available on the official public website of the
Committee or in some other manner.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lofgren) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
Newhouse) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H. Res. 756.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress was created by
Speaker Nancy Pelosi on January 4, 2019, when the House adopted title
II of H. Res. 6, the House Rules package.
The House voted an overwhelming 418-12 to create the committee. The
Speaker was insistent that the committee's membership contains a
diverse set of views, which is why its membership is evenly divided
between Republicans and Democrats and is required to have two first-
term Members among its ranks.
I am proud to serve on the Select Committee on the Modernization of
Congress, a committee whose guiding principle, in the words of Chairman
Derek Kilmer, is to ``make Congress work better so that the institution
and its Members can better serve the American people.''
During its first year of work, the committee has heard from former
Members, discussed making legislative information more transparent, and
focused on cultivating diversity and improving retention among
congressional staff. The committee has also worked to promote civility
and collaboration and listened carefully to Members about the
congressional schedule.
The committee is already having an effect. Shortly after a hearing on
congressional mailing standards, the Franking Commission moved quickly
to modernize their rules so Members could communicate with their
constituents more directly.
The committee's success is the very reason that the Speaker decided
to extend the life of the committee. Originally scheduled to conclude
its work after the first session, the House agreed to extend its work
for the balance of the 116th Congress.
I was pleased to work with the ranking member of the House
Administration Committee to make sure that the select committee has the
resources it needs to do its work.
H. Res. 756 incorporates the first two sets of recommendations made
by the select committee. These recommendations focus on increasing
transparency, improving human resources practices on the Hill,
improving the onboarding process for new Members, addressing needed IT
improvements, and making the proceedings and functions of the House
more accessible to all Americans.
It has been a pleasure to work with Chairman Kilmer, Vice Chairman
Graves, and the ranking member on the Committee on House Administration
as we have worked to translate recommendations into legislation.
Successful reform efforts in Congress are rare. For the most part,
these efforts fade away and are forgotten. I am glad that this reform
effort, spearheaded by the bipartisan work of the select committee, is
moving forward and that we will all see tangible results in how the
Congress operates as a result of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) controls the time and is recognized.
There was no objection.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 756, the Moving Our
Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Modernization
Resolution.
Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan resolution is an important one that I
believe will improve the day-to-day operations of the House.
I first want to thank Chairman Kilmer and Vice Chair Graves for their
impressive leadership of the Select Committee on Modernization.
I also want to give a special moment of silence in honor of Vice
Chair Graves' son, who was in a bad accident on a bicycle. If Members
could bear with me to honor Mr. Graves and have a moment of silence to
pray for his son's recovery.
Mr. Speaker, the tone that has been set at the Select Committee on
the Modernization of Congress has been a refreshing reminder that there
is still a way to work in a truly bipartisan manner, respecting
differing opinions across the aisle. Six Members of Congress from each
party came together to work toward a common goal: to make this
institution better.
Americans deserve an efficient and effective legislature. A
modernized Congress will increase our ability to respond to the needs
of communities; save taxpayer dollars; erase layers of bureaucracy;
further professionalize the institution; and revitalize a transparent,
understandable, and efficient legislative process.
H. Res. 756 is a package of 29 bipartisan recommendations from the
select committee's findings on ways to improve Congress. These
recommendations will increase public accessibility, modernize the
information technology that offices use, streamline human resources,
improve training offerings, enhance the ways we can communicate with
our constituents, and create more transparency and access to public
documents, among other necessary advancements.
Mr. Speaker, I am a proud member of the Select Committee on the
Modernization of Congress, and as the ranking member at the Committee
on House Administration, I look forward to working toward implementing
these vital recommendations.
While the passage of H. Res. 756 is crucial for improving how the
House operates, I know the work is not done. I look forward to being a
part of moving additional pieces of legislation the select committee
puts forward.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Kilmer) who chairs the Select Committee on the
Modernization of Congress.
Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Lofgren and Ranking Member
Davis for their support in bringing this resolution to the floor.
H. Res. 756, the MODCOM Resolution, is the product of a bipartisan
desire to make Congress work better for the American people.
Over the past year, the Select Committee on the Modernization of
Congress has taken a hard look at the many challenges this institution
faces. Select committee members have listened closely to what their
colleagues and staff have to say about how to improve Congress and
listened to the American people.
[[Page H1572]]
Through a collaborative, bipartisan process, the select committee has
so far passed 45 recommendations to make Congress work better so that
Members can better serve their constituents.
Making recommendations to improve Congress is one thing, but making
sure those recommendations are carried out is quite another.
The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress is the first
reform committee in recent history to turn its recommendations into
legislation. The MODCOM Resolution ensures that the select committee's
initial recommendations are implemented by the House of
Representatives.
These recommendations cover a broad range of issues but share a
common goal: making Congress work better for the American people.
Article I of the Constitution established Congress as the first among
coequal branches of government. Our Founding Fathers envisioned a
strong legislative branch, but Congress' capacity to uphold its
constitutional powers has been weakened. This resolution is a first
step toward restoring capacity and strengthening Congress.
The resolution improves transparency so that the American people can
easily access basic information about Congress, including following the
bill through the process, seeing how Members vote in committee and on
the floor, and tracking what bills Members sponsor.
The MODCOM Resolution also contains recommendations focused on
attracting and retaining a diverse and highly qualified workforce,
again, working on behalf of the American people. The resolution creates
a one-stop HR shop to help Members and staff with questions about
recruitment, retention, diversity, legal counsel, training, and
benefits.
The select committee has heard a lot about how new Member orientation
should do more to encourage civility and bipartisan collaboration. This
resolution will overhaul the onboarding process for new Members and
provide continuing education opportunities for all Members.
Select committee members also agree that trying to solve 21st century
problems with 20th century technologies is a disservice to the American
people, who rightfully expect timely action from their Representatives.
This resolution will modernize House technologies and, ultimately, save
taxpayer dollars.
{time} 1245
Modernizing Congress also means making the proceedings and functions
of the House accessible to all Americans. The MODCOM resolution
addresses the equal access challenges that persons with disabilities
face when working for, visiting, or interacting with Congress.
The bottom line is this: All Members want Congress to work better for
the American people, and the MODCOM resolution serves that goal.
I am proud to lead this effort, but I want to emphasize that this is
an entirely collaborative effort. Congressman Tom Graves, the select
committee's vice chair, has been a great partner, and I want to thank
him for his leadership, his partnership, and his commitment to the
committee's success.
I thank the gentleman from Illinois for wishing Tom and his family
well and wishing his son a speedy recovery.
Mr. Speaker, the experience and perspective of Chair Lofgren and of
Ranking Member Davis they have shared with the select committee has
also been invaluable. I want to thank them and the Committee on House
Administration and their staff for their help and their guidance and
for their work in bringing this resolution to the floor today.
I also want to thank all of my colleagues on the select committee. We
serve with such thoughtful and dedicated Members, and I look forward to
our continued collaboration.
The CAO's office and the House Clerk's office have also been
instrumental in this effort, and I want to thank the many people in
both offices who have given of their time and expertise in working
through a lot of these issues with the select committee.
This is the first step in trying to make Congress function better on
behalf of the American people. There is more to come. The committee has
additional recommendations that we hope to move forward.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support passage of H. Res. 756.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Newhouse), my good friend and another
member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.
Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend, Mr. Davis,
for yielding and thank him also for all of his hard work bringing this
resolution to the floor. I also want to thank him for being here in
person himself to help us argue the good points of this resolution and
its bipartisan nature.
Mr. Speaker, for over a year, the bipartisan Select Committee on the
Modernization of Congress has worked together to discuss how Congress,
as an institution, conducts business on behalf of the American people.
From broad subjects, like government transparency and congressional
office payroll, to narrower topics, like formatting legislative
documents, our goal is to bring Congress into the same century as the
constituents whom we serve.
This resolution is a great first step in accomplishing that goal. It
requires our technology offices to streamline the approval process for
new and innovative technologies. It takes steps towards Housewide bulk
purchasing of technology products and services and will save every
Member money out of their MRAs.
Additionally, the resolution examines expanding or eliminating the
cap on the number of employees for Member offices. Many Members,
particularly in rural areas like my district in central Washington,
have multiple district offices, and Members should be able to staff
their offices as they see fit.
Empowering Members to adequately staff both district and D.C. offices
can improve retention, but, more importantly, it can improve
communication with our constituents.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to again thank Chairman Kilmer
and Ranking Member Graves for their leadership and their work in
bringing this resolution to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues, all Members, to
support the adoption of this resolution.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 2
minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks), another member
of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.
Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my fellow
colleagues on the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress in
support of H. Res. 756.
Over these past many months, under the incredible leadership of
Representative Kilmer and Representative Graves, the members of the
Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress have worked
diligently to address many, many issues that we believe in a bipartisan
way have negatively impacted the ability of Congress to work
effectively and efficiently for all Americans.
Throughout my time in Congress, I have heard time after time many
concerns from my constituents who believe that Congress has become too
mired in gridlock, that our current political process has devolved into
a system that rewards bitter partisan divide rather than an effective,
for-the-people governance. I think my constituents would be so pleased,
and all of our constituents would be so pleased, to see how this
committee has worked and how we have plodded together through many
difficult subjects.
In the process of creating 2\1/2\ dozen recommendations, including
this resolution, I think a couple of the most important the committee
is focused on are how to foster that more civil discourse, beginning
with new Member orientation.
I want to applaud the chair and the ranking member of the Committee
on House Administration for being so open-minded about any ideas that
our committee put forward, willing to make changes to many programs,
beginning with new Member orientation; also, efforts to create a
congressional workforce more representative of our country's diverse
population through initiatives like making permanent the Office of
Diversity and Inclusion, and focusing on issues such as streamlining
[[Page H1573]]
and reorganizing human resource services for the House
of Representatives.
We often operate as 435 different offices, but we can learn so much
from each other. We can find, with collaboration and with a stronger
H.R. office, better expertise in communications policies and
constituent services.
So it is my firm belief that the recommendations being voted on will
be an integral step in moving Congress forward in a direction that not
only produces a more productive workforce and workplace, but a more
productive legislative branch.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Timmons), our freshman Member on our
side of the aisle on the Select Committee on the Modernization of
Congress.
Mr. TIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res.
756, legislation implementing recommendations from the Select Committee
on the Modernization of Congress.
The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, the only truly
bipartisan committee in Congress, has worked diligently since it was
created to produce recommendations that will make Congress more
efficient, accountable, and transparent to the American people.
This resolution includes nearly 30 of the recommendations passed out
of the committee. The legislation includes reforms in five areas, which
are:
Streamlining and reorganizing human resources;
Improving orientation for freshman Members;
Modernizing and revitalizing technology;
Making the House accessible to all; and
Improving access to documents and publications for the American
people.
When I first arrived in Washington for new Member orientation, I
remember having to get on a bus with only Republicans. I was shocked
that new Members would not be briefed together, that this kind of
partisanship was encouraged from the very start.
Now, I understand that a majority of the time Members will be meeting
with their respective party, but to encourage this divide from the
beginning was something I was not expecting--and I was really
disappointed.
This contributes to the brokenness and lack of civility in Congress.
This was a concern I heard from several Members from both sides of the
aisle, including fellow colleagues on the Select Committee on the
Modernization of Congress.
I am proud that we are able to work together on this committee as
both Republicans and Democrats to come to a solution that encourages
more bipartisanship in these partisan and incredibly divided times.
I am truly thankful for Chair Kilmer's and Vice Chair Graves'
leadership on the committee, and I look forward to continuing to work
with them and my colleagues on the committee on other ways we can make
Congress more efficient, such as addressing the House calendar and
schedule, as well as the budget process.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues in the House to support H.
Res. 756.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, at this point, while he
meanders up to the microphone, I would like to say this is our last
speaker, but another valued member of the Select Committee on the
Modernization of Congress, somebody whom not only the committee is
going to miss when he leaves this institution after this term, but this
institution is going to miss him.
I yield as much time as he would like to consume to the gentleman
from Georgia (Mr. Woodall).
Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Illinois for
yielding. I have so many things that I want to say now in light of
that.
The truth is, Mr. Speaker, I just came over, had to walk out on some
constituents to be here.
Hunter Pruett is in town. He is advocating on behalf of the Juvenile
Arthritis Foundation, and he has been meeting with me every year for
the 10 years I have been in Congress.
I said: Hunter, I am sorry. I have got to go to the floor. This is
our bill today. I will see you back home.
He said: I just want to tell you one thing, Rob.
He said: Whatever is going on in politics, just forget it. What I
want you to do for your next 9 months in Congress is just go and do the
right thing for the right reasons, and we will be with you.
That is a pretty common message that we get, but our committee
process doesn't always allow that to happen, and I want to thank the
chairman for leading a process that has allowed exactly that to happen.
Mr. Speaker, I don't know if it has been mentioned, but I am looking
at the chairman of the Select Committee on the Modernization of
Congress sitting beside the chairwoman of the House Administration
Committee.
Now, as you look through these 30 recommendations today, you will see
that a lot of them have to do with House Administration jurisdiction. I
am standing right beside the ranking member of the House Administration
Committee.
It is extraordinary in this institution for a chairwoman and her
ranking member to allow another committee to have any sort of input on
what goes on, much less delegate some of that conversation and
thinking. The lack of self-interest that has gone into this committee
is something I haven't gotten to see much in the 10 years I have been
here.
You won't see in these recommendations, Mr. Speaker, a recommendation
to turn all of the committees into the exact same bipartisan 50/50
committee that we have had the pleasure of working on. I don't think
you will see that in the next round either.
But I will tell you that one of the favorite stories I get to tell
back home to folks who feel like politics has taken over this town, for
folks who feel like MSNBC and FOX News run this institution these days,
that think Twitter is the be-all and end-all of in-depth political
thought, I have gotten a chance to work with Members who have, time
after time after time, put the institution first with one goal in mind.
Mr. Speaker, I am certain it has been said already, how can we serve
our constituency better, every single conversation, how can we serve
our constituency better; what can we do to better serve the American
people; how is the institution broken, not so that it is not serving
Members, but so that Members are not serving their constituents.
I know this isn't the most glamorous of topics, modernization of
Congress, but I would just say to all of my colleagues, if you are
feeling down, if you are feeling beaten by a political season, if you
think that this is the time of the electoral cycle where folks are
fussing with each other, more likely to tear each other down than build
each other up, read these 30 recommendations.
Tune in to the next Select Committee on the Modernization of
Congress, Mr. Speaker, because what you are going to see is exactly
what every single one of us wanted to see when we ran for Congress, and
that is serious men and women sitting down in a collaborative way,
putting the American people first.
It couldn't happen without the leadership of our chairman. It
wouldn't happen without the chairwoman of the House Administration
Committee and her willingness to be such a productive partner. It
couldn't happen without Ranking Member Davis and his willingness to be
so involved and so collaborative.
There should be recommendation No. 31, Mr. Speaker, and that is,
let's do this again.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I can't add
anything to what my good friend Robert ``Frank'' Woodall said, so I am
going to yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to again acknowledge the
bipartisan work of the Select Committee on the Modernization of
Congress.
As a body, we haven't focused on the need for internal reforms to
improve our work for the American people, and the Select Committee on
the Modernization of Congress has enabled us to focus on reforms and
improvements that are necessary to better serve our constituents.
It may be true, if you read the reports, some of this is boring.
Boring is good. To get these things done in a very thoughtful,
collaborative way so the system works better, so we can serve our
constituents better, it has
[[Page H1574]]
been a pleasure to work here, both as a member of the Select Committee
and certainly as chair of the House Administration Committee charged
with implementing many of these recommendations.
Mr. Speaker, I urge that all of us support H. Res. 756, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, as Vice Chair of the Select
Committee on the Modernization of Congress, I want to express my strong
support for H. Res. 756, the Moving our Democracy and Congressional
Operations Towards Modernization Resolution.
This resolution is the result of bipartisan collaboration and hard
work by our committee members, who are committed to making Congress
work better for the American people.
H. Res. 756 marks the first time in recent history a select committee
like ours has turned recommendations into legislative action. This is a
testament to the hard work of our members, and the support from our
colleagues on both sides of the aisle has been instrumental throughout
this process.
In the last year, the Select Committee has passed nearly four dozen
recommendations crafted to make Congress more effective, efficient and
transparent. Through conversations with our colleagues and listening
sessions with congressional staff, we've worked to address everything
from staff retention and recruitment to boosting bipartisanship and
civility throughout the U.S. House of Representatives.
Today's resolution addresses five key sections of reform:
streamlining and reorganizing human resources; improving orientation
for Members-elect and providing improved continuing education
opportunities for Members; modernizing and revitalizing technology,
making the House accessible to all; and improving access to documents
and publications. These sections include 29 recommendations that were
unanimously passed by our committee on a rolling basis throughout last
year--another first for a committee like ours.
We're committed to pushing boundaries and breaking the mold with our
approach and the solutions we propose. Our chair, Rep. Derek Kilmer,
has been a strong leader and bipartisan partner throughout this
process. When the Select Committee first started, we chose to work
together and combine our resources as one team, instead of separating
the staff and office space by party line. This unique opportunity and
approach has created a bond of trust unlike anything I've experienced
in Congress.
We have more work to do before the year is over, and I can think of
no better capstone to my career in public service than to leave
Congress in better shape for the next generation of leaders. Together
we are giving the House a roadmap for a brighter future.
I look forward to continuing our work as a bipartisan team and am
grateful for the opportunity to help make a little history here in the
House.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 756, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________