Just in time for the holidays, the Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Modernization has released its final report for the 118th Congress www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...

Future-Proofing Congress: Imagining the Design of an Expanded House — POPVOX Foundation Imagine never getting lost again in Rayburn, a bridge to Ford, and an abundance of co-working space; will proxy voting get the nod in the 119th?

The latest "Future-Proofing Congress" newsletter is out! This month, we’re covering:
-Our new report with Protect Democracy on an expanded and modern House,
-The new Congressional calendars,
-Why the House needs proxy voting for Members on leave, and more!
www.popvox.org/futureproofi...

Open-Government Nonprofits Are Dying Off Just When They’re Needed Most Why it’s happening and what can be done about it.

“We are at twilight, and the light is failing rapidly. It’s time to pay the electric bill or get used to the darkness.”

Fantastic op-ed from @americalabs.org in @thebulwark.bsky.social about the decline in philanthropic funding for open gov. and transparency orgs.
www.thebulwark.com/p/open-gover...

Home - Where Will They All Sit?

LOVE this report by my colleagues Aubrey Wilson & @taylorjswift.bsky.social w/ the @protectdemocracy.org team — working with architects/designers — to explore how Congress can modernize and improve its *physical* space 😍

While it may or may not be the right time to have the conversation about expanding the House, what’s clear it’s Congress needs a roadmap for what is possible—both for representation and physical infrastructure—and we are proud to have this all in one report and interactive website.

Our POPVOX Foundation team helped put together scenarios of what the Capitol campus would look like if the House we to make such an expansion, including the creation of a new office building, more accessible entrances and shared spaces, and improved safety.

The House hasn’t seen expansion of its membership since 1910, but our population has nearly tripled in the time. @protectdemocracy.org took the lead in this report examining the history of House expansion and what expanding the current House by 100 Members would look like.

Home - Where Will They All Sit?

Imagine a more modern, accessible, & secure House or Representative. What would it take to make that vision a reality?

Our POPVOX Foundation team partnered w/ @protectdemocracy.org to examine this issue. The result is a new report & website called “Where Will They All Sit?”
wherewilltheyallsit.org

Hello to everyone else whose ears perked up during this speech when Kildee referenced getting to speak to John Lewis often in Lewis's final weeks because Kildee held Lewis's proxy for floor voting during COVID and needed to find out how Lewis wanted him to vote.

(Oh, I was the only one?)

After securing a majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court in 2022, Republican justices promptly overturned a ruling that had struck down GOP gerrymanders, paving the way for their party’s lawmakers to draw a new map designed to hand them several congressional districts. By then, Democrats already had no recourse outside of state courts: This U.S. Supreme Court has shut the door on complaints of partisan gerrymandering proceeding in federal courts. The maneuver paid off last week. The GOP flipped three U.S. House seats, a windfall in light of that chamber’s tiny overall margin.

The final House results have now landed as 220-215 for the GOP. That means the House majority came down to the 3 NC seats the GOP flipped thanks to its brand new gerrymander.

And that gerrymander hinged on NC's supreme court flipping in 2022.

I wrote this last month: boltsmag.org/state-suprem...

Catch me at one or more of these stadium shows screaming MUSTAAAAAARD!

During a time where Executive branch overreach seems imminent, Congress must be able to defend itself and still represent the American people. This starts with rules changes that enable the body to properly function, which includes insulation from procedural emergencies.

119th House Rules Recommendations — POPVOX Foundation 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 const...

Our POPVOX Foundation team has recommended this House rules change, along with about a dozen other reforms, in our September report. www.popvox.org/blog/119th-h...

MPs vote in favour of ‘baby leave’ proxy voting system Parliament set to move on from ‘Rees-Mogg model’ of fatherhood under new proposals

Congress needs to be adapting to these realities, other legislators around the world have. www.theguardian.com/politics/201...

This rules change is also inherently pro-family. It’s very difficult to be able to start a family if you’re a Member of Congress because taking time off (both in the short- and long-term) means missing votes. The same can be said for medical care or other personal emergencies.

That being said, the House of Representatives could end up with its smallest majority since the 72nd Congress in 1931 (219D-214R). Changing its rules could allow the institution to function if and when Members need to leave DC for personal emergencies.

The House should seriously consider changing its rules in the 119th Congress to allow Members to vote by proxy while on maternity, paternity, and bereavement leave. This isn’t just about potential close margins, it’s also about being able to still represent constituents when life happens.

Institution-focused reform's place in pro-democracy work It may not say it, but anti-authoritarianism is at its core

I’m reading @nehls.bsky.social’s latest piece on institution-focused reforms in the democracy space in the aftermath of the election. nowwhatnehls.substack.com/p/institutio...

Really excited to finally read the new Foundation for American Innovation and Gray Center symposium on “Congress after Chevron.” cdn.sanity.io/files/d8lrla...

Power, Ethics, and Bathroom Politics Exploring McConnell's next steps, Trump's gravitational power, and the endgame for the 118th Congress and Democratic agenda-setting power

I’m reading @americalabs.org’s weekly newsletter, which continues to be ahead of the curve on all things Congress, power, and politics. You should subscribe if you haven’t already.
open.substack.com/pub/firstbra...

Wrapping up the 118th and Resources for the 119th — POPVOX Foundation Learn about the latest tech tools, professional development opportunities, and other improvements happening inside the halls of Congress.

Today’s Future-Proofing Congress newsletter includes:
-The launch of the “Gavel In” podcast
-How Congress compares to other legislatures in AI adoption
-Resources for navigating career transitions
-Security tips for Members Elect and staff
www.popvox.org/futureproofi...

Congress's Constitution: Legislative Authority and the Separation of Powers: Chafetz, Josh: 9780300248333: Amazon.com: Books Congress's Constitution: Legislative Authority and the Separation of Powers [Chafetz, Josh] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Congress's Constitution: Legislative Authority and the Separation of Powers

Just a reminder that Congress has a lot of power to push back against a president, and Congresses have used these powers--even against same-party presidents--more than you might realize. If you're interested, you can read more ... www.amazon.com/dp/0300248334/

I continued the thread a bit more with some potential alternatives. Would be wise for Congress to take a look at this.

Some ways both chambers could do this process differently:
-Designate each office for each district.
-Switch to a lottery system every 10 years instead of two.

While I don’t know the true answer at this time, it would be smart for Congress to examine reform ideas for this process.

While I understand the tradition, the office lottery seems like a huge waste of time and money and creates potential security risks for Congress during the office transitions, especially IT and infrastructure concerns.

Gavel In is available on major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and more.

What makes this podcast different?

Gavel In provides empathy for freshmen Members as they face a steep learning curve. From their many years of experience, our guests share lifehacks and practical tips for adjusting to being a lawmaker, balancing Congressional and family life, and more.

Some of our episode topics include:
📜the legislative process 
🙋🏽‍♀️hiring staff 
💰managing the office budget
🏛️Congressional Rules
👨🏻‍⚖️effective committee membership 
⚖️conducting oversight
🤝building rapport across the chamber, and more.

POPVOX Foundation Launches “Gavel In” Podcast to Support the Orientation of Members Elect — POPVOX Foundation "Gavel In” is a limited-run, explainer podcast series about how Congress works, created especially for freshmen Members of the 119th Congress, their staff, and spouses.

Thrilled to launch Gavel In, a podcast series designed to support new House Members and staffers!

Hosted by me and Aubrey Wilson, this 10-episode series features interviews with current and former Members of Congress, Capitol Hill chiefs, and Congressional scholars.
www.popvox.org/blog/gavel-in

POPVOX Foundation Launches Gavel In Podcast to Support the Orientation of Members Elect — POPVOX Foundation "Gavel In” is a limited-run, explainer podcast series about how Congress works, created especially for freshmen Members of the 119th Congress, their staff, and spouses.

Excited to share the new "Gavel In podcast from our amazing team at POPVOX Foundation (hosted by @taylorjswift.bsky.social & Aubrey Wilson)— with tips for incoming Members of the 119th Congress & their staff. www.popvox.org/blog/gavel-in