News

The following quotes were collected by CMF in a 2011 survey of more than 1,400 congressional staff. The survey focusing on the workplace environment of Congress asked this open-ended question: What does working in Congress mean to you? We hope you’ll peruse this list of amazing quotes from patriots who serve under the dome: the staff of the United States Congress.

Every staffer who has worked in Congress the past two years personally knows and feels the stress created by the pandemic and the January 6 insurrection, and have noted the significant increases of threats to their bosses and their colleagues. As we approach the one-year mark since the January 6 attacks, mental health experts have said the date and news coverage will trigger painful memories and post-traumatic stress. Managers do not have sit back and simply hope January 6, 2022 will just be another day at the office. They should prepare and be proactive in supporting staff who might need help. Here are five things to consider.

Do you find yourself constantly reacting to other offices’ agendas? Do your staff find it difficult to focus their energy to achieve significant accomplishments? Or does your boss keep adding priorities and goals, leaving your team scrambling to keep up, or pose questions about their legacy that leave you quaking in your boots? If so, this session on December 17 is for you!

The Congressional Management Foundation heartily commends the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress on its latest set of recommendations. Like it has in the past, the Committee has not shied away from the difficult topics – and exploring how to improve collaboration and civility among Members and staff is surely a challenge. Additionally, the recommendations regarding key congressional support agencies and evidence-based policymaking, if implemented, would significantly improve the support Members of Congress and staff need to develop sound and well-researched public policy decisions.

For years there has been a deep need to examine the Legislative Branch for opportunities to modernize and reform, and the Committee continues to rise to the occasion. It has identified important issues and elevated them not only within the halls of Congress but into the public eye, with a keen focus on enhancing services to constituents. We heartily commend Chair Derek Kilmer, Vice Chair William Timmons, the esteemed Members of the Committee, and its hardworking staff on what they have accomplished.

Join CMF on November 8 for the first in a series of trainings based on our Democracy Awards program. Using information gleaned from winning congressional offices in Constituent Service, we'll use this time to tease out and disseminate some best practices for your office - as well as host a panel of staffers from winning offices to discuss their work and what winning a Democracy Award in Constituent Service meant to them.

CMF and the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University (GAI) are pleased to announce that registration is open for our joint multi-day online training on "Legislative Operations for Congressional Staff," which will be held November 8 and November 19. CMF and GAI have a combined 70 years of experience explaining how Congress really works to the public, Executive Branch employees, and the private sector.