Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA)
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
Representative Mark Takano (D-CA)
Representative Kay Granger (R-TX)
Representative Tom Graves (R-GA)
Representative Rob Woodall (R-GA)
Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA)
As Chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) has employed several innovative tactics in an effort to get Congress working better for the American people. This has been exemplified in the establishment of the Select Committee's make-up and core functionality, including a shared committee staff with Republican Vice-Chair Tom Graves, a shared committee budget, staggered seating arrangements at hearings (with Democrats and Republicans sitting next to one another), and frequent bipartisan member meetings to work through issues as a group. In order to maximize the Select Committee's impact, committee members decided to make recommendations on a rolling basis throughout the year. In response, the House passed H.Res.756, the Moving our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Modernization Resolution, which includes nearly 30 of the recommendations made by the Select Committee to improve Congress. This marks the first time in recent history that a select committee has effectively turned recommendations into legislative action. His personal office also uses social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to share information with constituents, conducts Facebook Town Halls (which are saved for posterity on the office page), and utilizes Monday.com for project management in the office.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
Known for her candid Instagram stories offering a behind-the-scenes look at legislating, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez is a leader of innovation in Congress. Her office uses online project management software to keep track of workflow, meetings, and projects, and advanced software for online graphic development as well as to manage Service Academy Nominations Applications. The office was one of the first to spearhead the use of Google's G-Suite, Asana, Slack, and Airtable, and pushed for their approvals by House Information Resources. They live-stream monthly in-person town halls to the Member's Facebook page, and their newsletter format uses modern formatting styles as well as infographics to better display the office's accomplishments. Additionally, the use of Google Sheets assists in keeping track of the office's work in real time, including walk-ins, phone calls, co-sponsored bills, and district meetings. The office takes a holistic look at innovation, incorporating non-technological novelties into their operations - including paying junior staffers a living wage and compensating interns $15 an hour.
Representative Mark Takano (D-CA)
The office of Rep. Mark Takano has a strong reputation for experimenting with innovative tools. The office has a large Tumblr following, uses Yelp for constituents to leave ratings on their office experience, Medium for long form blog posts, and Eventbrite for all DC and district events. They use Facebook Live to conduct interviews with their community, TourTrackr for constituent tours, and Thingiverse for 3D printing enthusiasts to download and print material designed by office staff and fellows. During the last five years, the office has graduated over 200 fellows from the Digital Academy, a hands-on digital engagement training fellowship, which is co-sponsored by their office and Democratic Leader Hoyer's office. The office attributes their innovative nature to a combination of technology and technique. The office regularly has conversations about where pain points are in the office, and what kind of ideas can offer relief. They're also not afraid to be the "beta tester for Congress," - for example, trying out Vine before realizing it wasn't a good fit for the office.
Representative Kay Granger (R-TX)
The office of Rep. Kay Granger approaches innovation with the question, "How can we use everyday technology to assist today's constituents in a simple way?" For example, when constituents don't have easy access to printers, copiers, or scanners, the office's caseworkers developed the idea to accept evidence and documents via cell phone photos. And that goes both ways – when a constituent was having trouble reaching Veterans Affairs' for medical coverage, the office took a photo of the constituent to send to the agency. Last year, the office kick started a social media initiative that included regularly posting to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Additionally, the office conducts semi-annual caseworker roundtables – non-partisan discussions that include constituent service staff from all over North Texas, as well as executive branch agency representatives. The office sees its commitment to innovation as starting with the Member, who openly empowers staff to devise solutions and solve problems.
Representative Tom Graves (R-GA)
As Vice Chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, Rep. Tom Graves has been working for the last year to bring innovative solutions to the institution, which includes crafting dozens of recommendations that promote civility and bipartisanship, increase administrative efficiencies, improve technology, and boost diversity in Congress. In addition to the herculean efforts of modernizing the institution, Rep. Graves has taken an innovatively bipartisan approach as to how he works with his counterpart, Chairman Rep. Derek Kilmer. Whenever he's asked to speak on modernization, he ensures Rep. Kilmer is there with him. For example, when he was invited to speak to the Republican Study Committee, he invited Rep. Kilmer to come with him, a rare instance of allowing a Member of the opposing party to speak to the group. In his personal office, Rep. Graves has been heavily involved with cybersecurity, and built out his website to support the efforts, including answering questions in videos on social media on the topic.
Representative Rob Woodall (R-GA)
Rep. Rob Woodall has put himself at the forefront of every chance to embrace innovative ideas and modern solutions. Years before House and Senate approved pay for congressional interns, Rep. Woodall implemented an office policy where interns were paid a living wage. As a member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, Rep. Woodall has pushed for bipartisan reforms, and as one of the few lawmakers who has been both a Hill staffer and a Member, he offers a unique perspective. Rep. Woodall was one of the first to embrace IT phone technology, back in 2006 when he was a Chief of Staff, and again in 2010 when he was first elected to Congress. Their office was also one of the first to use telephone town hall technology. And yet the office also prioritizes personal relationships, as the Member feels all the technology in the world isn't enough to bridge the trust gap that exists between public officials and the constituents they represent.
