Modernizing Congress: A conversation with former Reps. Brian Baird (D-WA) and Tom Graves (R-GA) from January 29, 2021
Panelists:
Brian Baird, Former Member of Congress, US House of Representatives
John C. Fortier, Resident Scholar, AEI
Tom Graves, Former Member of Congress, US House of Representatives
Kevin R. Kosar, Resident Scholar, AEI
Moderator:
Zachary Courser, Co-Director, Claremont McKenna College Policy Lab
Last December, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed that a temporary committee created to make Congress “more effective, efficient, and transparent” would continue its work through 2023. Organized in 2019, the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress has already issued more than 100 recommendations, such as streamlining the bill-writing process, improving pay and benefits for congressional staff, educating new members on congressional practices, and updating technology infrastructure. Are these proposals enough to help Congress meet 21st-century challenges? Or should the committee set its sights on broader, more structural issues?
Join Policy Lab Co-Director, Zachary Courser, as he moderates this timely and interesting discussion with former congresspersons from both sides of the aisle.