Today, Speaker Pelosi announced that the House will renew the bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress for the 117th session. In response, Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee released the following statement: “Issue One applauds Speaker Pelosi’s decision to renew the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. In these highly divisive times, the American people desperately need
Read MoreIssue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee and Legislative Affairs Manager Elise Wirkus were named among the top grassroots lobbyists in Washington, D.C., by The Hill newspaper this week. The Hill’s list recognizes those lobbyists who “wielded their clout and knowledge most effectively” in 2020. This is Wirkus’ first time on The Hill’s annual list of top lobbyists and McGehee’s 14th
Read MoreAmericans looking for signs that their elected representatives can actually represent them and be responsive to their needs should be pleased to learn about the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress’ final report, which was issued last week and contained 97 bipartisan recommendations that were adopted unanimously. This report is the culmination of two years of work by the
Read More
Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee issued the following statement in the wake of the news that the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress unanimously approved 40 new recommendations today to improve Congress for the American people: “With this strong package of recommendations, the modernization committee has built upon its earlier momentum to dig deep into innovative solutions to
Read More“[T]his episode is a little different because it’s about part of the swamp changing for the better, a truly positive development amid plenty of dysfunction. It’s a story of bipartisan cooperation that is increasingly rare these days.” On this week’s episode of Issue One’s “Swamp Stories” podcast, host Weston Wamp walks us through the origin story of one of the
Read MoreIssue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee submitted written testimony on Thursday in support of boosting congressional capacity to the Senate Appropriations Committee’s legislative branch subcommittee. McGehee recommended measures to improve staff retention and diversity — highlighting how competent, experienced staff are key to a strong Congress that can fulfill its constitutional duties to the American people and stand up to
Read MoreWashington, DC — In response to today’s House vote to pass H.Res.756, the Moving Our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Modernizing Resolution, which adopts nearly 30 recommendations by the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, Issue One released the following statement: “The House just showed that bipartisan work is possible, and that it can produce important bipartisan reforms that
Read MoreToday, Issue One and 14 other groups from across the political spectrum called on members of Congress to support the Moving Our Democracy and Congressional Operations Toward Modernization (MODCOM) Resolution (H.R. 756). The legislation is comprised of nearly 30 bipartisan recommendations from the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress that would make the House more efficient and effective. “These positives
Read MoreToday, the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress unanimously passed 16 new recommendations to increase bipartisanship and civility in the House, as well as make Congress more efficient. During the meeting, Chairman Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) said, “Every member of this committee believes that Congress is stronger when members find ways to work together and solve problems.” “Even during times
Read MoreToday, Issue One sent the following letter to all House offices urging them to vote in support of the bipartisan recommendations from the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. — Earlier this week, Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Tom Graves (R-GA) introduced a bipartisan resolution to create a more efficient and responsive House of Representatives. H.Res. 756, Moving Our
Read More