One of the three pillars of CMF's mission is to "revitalize Congress as an institution, working inside and outside Congress to foster a deliberative, functioning, and accountable legislature." We have approached this in many different ways throughout our history, but most recently our work has centered on supporting congressional modernization, understanding the state of the Congress, transforming constituent & public engagement, encouraging office innovation, providing professional development for Members, fostering staff diversity, and improving staff worklife.

CMF has always encouraged congressional modernization, which was how we came to be one of the key organizations working to support the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress in the 116th and 117th Congresses. The Committee relied on our research; invited us to serve as witnesses at hearings and as participants in issue-specific working groups; and adopted our recommendations to Congress. Additionally, through the "FixCongress Cohort" we collaborated with academics and other civil society organizations to help identify issues and recommendations, spread the word about the Committee's important work, and encourage implementation of the Committee's recommendations.

Periodically Congress creates a mechanism to investigate and improve its operations. Though these efforts generally receive little media and public attention, they have changed and modernized the institution in substantive ways that have significantly changed the practice of democracy in the United States. The most recent effort was the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress in the House of Representatives. The Committee served as a model for bipartisan collaboration and productivity in a polarized Congress. From 2019 through 2022, it investigated the needs and challenges of Congress and its Members and staff, developed and passed recommendations almost unanimously, and worked with organizations and stakeholders inside and outside Congress to ensure its recommendations were implemented.

STATEMENTS AND TESTIMONY BEFORE THE MODERNIZATION COMMITTEE

• Testimony from Bradford Fitch to the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, May 6, 2021
• Testimony from Kathy Goldschmidt to the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, March 25, 2021
• Testimony from Bradford Fitch to the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, June 5, 2019