Congressman William Timmons (SC-04) released the following statement after the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress passed its fifth and final set of recommendations, as well as the final committee report. 

“Much of the dysfunction and gridlock in Congress stems from the limitations and outdated systems of the institution itself. Today the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress approved our final set of bipartisan recommendations to address some of the most pressing issues facing this body. One of the biggest challenges is the congressional calendar. The congressional calendar and schedule are inefficient, and members end up spending more time traveling from place to place than actually working. Additionally, the reforms we recommended today to the budget and appropriations process will help address our deficit spending and national debt, which is one of the greatest national security threats we currently face. 

“It has been an honor to serve on the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress for the 116^th Congress. This Select Committee is the only truly bipartisan committee in Congress, made up of six Democrats and six Republicans. Over the past two years, we have advanced many bipartisan recommendations. We are also the first Select Committee in recent history to introduce our recommendations as legislation and pass them on the floor to ensure their implementation. I came to Congress to make the government more accountable, efficient, and transparent to the American people. Through bipartisan collaboration, our Committee has implemented recommendations that I believe will make the U.S. Congress a more effective and efficient institution.” 

Today’s recommendation topics are outlined below. The full list of recommendations can be found here. 

Reclaiming Article One Responsibilities: 

Over the past several decades, Congress’ standing as a co-equal branch of government has softened, while the executive branch has expanded in size and scope of power. Ongoing cuts to the legislative branch hurt congressional capacity, ultimately hurting the American people if Congress is unable to execute at its best.

Recommendation highlights: 

• Recommend the creation of a congressional Community Focused Grant Program that harnesses the authority of Congress under Article One of the Constitution to appropriate federal dollars.
• Encouraging bipartisan oversight, retreats, trainings and policymaking at the committee level, similar to the way the Select Committee has operated. 
• Increasing capacity for policy staff and congressional support organizations.

Improving the Congressional Schedule and Calendar: 

One of the topics the Select Committee heard about the most from Members, former Members and staff was the need for a more predictable, modern work calendar. Members should spend less time traveling and more time legislating. 

Recommendation highlights: 

• Establishing a block calendar system for committee scheduling. 
• Create a common committee calendar portal to help with scheduling and reduce conflicts.
• Create “committee activity only” work days, similar to how Congress has operated in the last few months.

Reforming the Budget and Appropriations Process: 

When it comes to the annual budget and appropriations process, since Fiscal Year 2012 not a single standalone appropriations bill has been signed into law. Since 1977, Congress has only passed all 12 appropriations bills before the end of the Fiscal Year four times. 

Recommendation highlights:

• There should be an annual Fiscal State of the Nation, to better inform our policy making and ensure taxpayers know how their dollars are being spent.
• Require a biennial budget resolution.
• Ensure that Congress adheres to a more realistic budget timeline. 

Enhancing Congressional Capacity:

The Select Committee has talked with hundreds of congressional staff about ways to improve retention and recruitment on Capitol Hill. The average time staff stay in a position in Congress is 2 years. Constant turnover hurts the institution and the people it is designed to serve. 

Recommendation highlights:

• Reevaluate and increase the Members Representational Allowance (MRA) to ensure Congress can meet current and future challenges, like the ongoing pandemic and the importance of retaining top policy staff.
• Establish a voluntary, nonbinding pay band system.
• Delink the staff pay cap from Member pay.
• Increase options to health insurance for congressional staff.