The Report on the Activities of the Committee on House Administration During the 116th Congress
Summary
House Report 116–707, Union Calendar No. 591, is the report on the activities of the Committee on House Administration during the 116th Congress, together with minority views, ordered to be printed December 31, 2020. A letter of transmittal dated December 30, 2020 from Zoe Lofgren, Chairperson, to Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk of the House, presents the report pursuant to clause 1(d) of rule XI. The contents list the committee's jurisdiction, rules, membership and organization, its oversight plan for the 116th Congress, legislative and oversight activities beginning at page 23, hearings and meetings at page 88, committee resolutions and minority views. The text read is only the front matter and contents.
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“The Report on the Activities of the Committee on House Administration During the 116th Congress.”
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1
Union Calendar No. 591
116TH CONGRESS REPORT
" HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES !
2d Session 116–707
THE REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION
DURING THE
116TH CONGRESS
TOGETHER WITH MINORITY VIEWS
DECEMBER 31, 2020.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House
on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
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U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
42–826 WASHINGTON : 2021
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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION,
Washington, DC, December 30, 2020.
Hon. CHERYL L. JOHNSON,
Clerk of the House,
Washington, DC.
DEAR MS. JOHNSON: Pursuant to clause 1(d) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, I present herewith the re-
port on the activities of the Committee on House Administration
for the 116th Congress.
Sincerely,
ZOE LOFGREN,
Chairperson.
(III)
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CONTENTS
Page
Letter of Transmittal ............................................................................................... III
Jurisdiction ............................................................................................................... 1
Rules of the Committee ........................................................................................... 2
Membership and Organization of the Committee ................................................. 12
Oversight Plan for the 116th Congress .................................................................. 14
Legislative and Oversight Activities ...................................................................... 23
Hearings and Meetings ........................................................................................... 88
Committee Resolutions ............................................................................................ 96
Appendix I—Committee Resolutions ...................................................................... 97
Minority Views ......................................................................................................... 167
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(V)
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Union Calendar No. 591
116TH CONGRESS REPORT
" HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES !
2d Session 116–707
REPORT ON THE ACTIVITY OF THE COMMITTEE ON
HOUSE ADMINISTRATION FOR THE 116TH CONGRESS
DECEMBER 31, 2020.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State
of the Union and ordered to be printed
Ms. LOFGREN, from the Committee on House Administration,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
together with
MINORITY VIEWS
REPORT
Clause 1(d) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representa-
tives for the 116th Congress requires each standing Committee, not
later than January 2 of each odd-numbered year, submit to the
House a report on the activities of that Committee, including sepa-
rate sections summarizing the legislative and oversight activities of
that Committee during that Congress.
JURISDICTION
RULES OF THE HOUSE
Clause 1(k) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representa-
tives for the 116th Congress sets forth the jurisdiction of the Com-
mittee on House Administration as follows—
(1) Appropriations from accounts for committee salaries and ex-
penses (except for the Committee on Appropriations); House Infor-
mation Resources; and allowance and expenses of Members, Dele-
gates, the Resident Commissioner, officers, and administrative of-
fices of the House.
(2) Auditing and settling of all accounts described in subpara-
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graph (1).
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(3) Employment of persons by the House, including staff for
Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, and committees;
and reporters of debates, subject to rule VI.
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (r)(11), the Library of Con-
gress, including management thereof; the House Library; statuary
and pictures; acceptance or purchase of works of art for the Cap-
itol; the Botanic Garden; and purchase of books and manuscripts.
(5) The Smithsonian Institution and the incorporation of similar
institutions (except as provided in paragraph (r)(11)).
(6) Expenditure of accounts described in subparagraph (1).
(7) Franking Commission.
(8) Printing and correction of the Congressional Record.
(9) Accounts of the House generally.
(10) Assignment of office space for Members, Delegates, the Resi-
dent Commissioner, and committees.
(11) Disposition of useless executive papers.
(12) Election of the President, Vice President, Members, Sen-
ators, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner; corrupt practices;
contested elections; credentials and qualifications; and Federal elec-
tions generally.
(13) Services to the House, including the House Restaurant,
parking facilities, and administration of the House Office Buildings
and of the House wing of the Capitol.
(14) Travel of Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commis-
sioner.
(15) Raising, reporting, and use of campaign contributions for
candidates for office of Representative, of Delegate, and of Resident
Commissioner.
(16) Compensation, retirement, and other benefits of the Mem-
bers, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, officers, and employ-
ees of Congress.
RULES FOR THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION, U.S.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 116TH CONGRESS
(Adopted February 7, 2019)
Rule No. 1—General Provisions
(a) The Rules of the House of Representatives are the rules of the
Committee so far as applicable, except that a motion to recess from
day to day is a privileged motion in the Committee.
(b) The Committee is authorized at any time to conduct such in-
vestigations and studies as it may consider necessary or appro-
priate in the exercise of its responsibilities under rule X of the
Rules of the House of Representatives and, subject to the adoption
of expense resolutions as required by clause 6 of rule X of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, to incur expenses (including travel
expenses) in connection therewith.
(c) The Committee is authorized to have printed and bound testi-
mony and other data presented at hearings held by the Committee,
and to make such information available to the public. All costs of
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stenographic services and transcripts in connection with any meet-
ing or hearing of the Committee shall be paid from the appropriate
House account.
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(d) The Committee shall submit to the House, not later than Jan-
uary 2 of each odd-numbered year, a report on the activities of the
committee under rules X and XI of the Rules of the House of Rep-
resentatives.
(e) The Committee’s rules shall be made publicly available in
electronic form and published in the Congressional Record not later
than 60 days after the Committee is elected in each odd-numbered
year.
Rule No. 2—Regular and Special Meetings
(a)(1) The regular meeting date of the Committee shall be the
second Tuesday of every month when the House is in session in ac-
cordance with clause 2(b) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives. If the House is not in session on the second Tues-
day of a month, the regular meeting date shall be the third Tues-
day of that month.
(2) Additional meetings may be called by the Chairperson of
the full Committee as the Chairperson considers necessary, or
at the request of a majority of the members of the Committee
in accordance with clause 2(c) of rule XI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives.
(3) The determination of the business to be considered at
each meeting shall be made by the Chairperson subject to
clause 2(c) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representa-
tives. A regularly scheduled meeting may be dispensed with if,
in the judgment of the Chairperson, there is no need for the
meeting.
(b) If the Chairperson is not present at any meeting of the Com-
mittee, the ranking member of the majority party who is present
shall preside at the meeting.
(c) The Chairperson, in the case of meetings to be conducted by
the Committee shall make public announcement of the date, place,
and subject matter of any meeting to be conducted on any measure
or matter. Such meeting shall not commence earlier than the third
calendar day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays ex-
cept when the House is in session on such a day) on which mem-
bers have notice thereof. If the Chairperson, with the concurrence
of the ranking minority member, determines that there is good
cause to begin the meeting sooner, or if the Committee so deter-
mines by majority vote, a quorum being present, the Chairperson
shall make the announcement at the earliest possible date. The an-
nouncement shall promptly be made publicly available in electronic
form and published in the Daily Digest.
(d) The Chairperson, in the case of meetings to be conducted by
the Committee shall make available on the Committee’s web site
the text of any legislation to be marked up at a meeting at least
24 hours before such meeting (or at the time of an announcement
made within 24 hours of such meeting). This requirement shall also
apply to any resolution or regulation to be considered at a meeting.
Rule No. 3—Open Meetings
As required by clause 2(g), of rule XI of the Rules of the House
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of Representatives, each meeting for the transaction of business, in-
cluding the markup of legislation of the Committee shall be open
to the public except when the Committee in open session and with
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a quorum present determines by record vote that all or part of the
remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public
because disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger na-
tional security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement infor-
mation, or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any per-
son, or otherwise would violate any law or rule of the House. Pro-
vided, however, that no person other than members of the Com-
mittee, and such congressional staff and such other persons as the
Committee may authorize, shall be present in any business or
markup session which has been closed to the public. To the max-
imum extent practicable, the Chairperson shall cause to be pro-
vided audio and video coverage of each hearing or meeting that al-
lows the public to easily listen to and view the proceedings and
maintain the recordings of such coverage in a manner that is easily
accessible to the public.
Rule No. 4—Records and Rollcalls
(a)(1) A record vote shall be held if requested by any member of
the Committee.
(2) The result of each record vote in any meeting of the
Committee shall be made available for inspection by the public
at reasonable times at the Committee offices, including a de-
scription of the amendment, motion, order or other proposition;
the name of each member voting for and against; and the
members present but not voting.
(3) The Chairperson shall make the record of the votes on
any question on which a record vote is demanded available on
the Committee’s website not later than 48 hours after such
vote is taken (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holi-
days). Such record shall include a description of the amend-
ment, motion, order, or other proposition, the name of each
member voting for and each member voting against such
amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names of
those members of the Committee present but not voting.
(4) The Chairperson shall make available on the Commit-
tee’s website not later than 24 hours (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays, and legal holidays) after the adoption of any amend-
ment to a measure or matter the text of such amendment.
(b)(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), the Chairperson may postpone
further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the question
of approving any measure or matter or adopting an amendment.
The Chairperson may resume proceedings on a postponed request
at any time.
(2) In exercising postponement authority under subpara-
graph (1), the Chairperson shall take all reasonable steps nec-
essary to notify members on the resumption of proceedings on
any postponed record vote.
(3) When proceedings resume on a postponed question, not-
withstanding any intervening order for the previous question,
an underlying proposition shall remain subject to further de-
bate or amendment to the same extent as when the question
was postponed.
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(c) All Committee hearings, records, data, charts, and files shall
be kept separate and distinct from the congressional office records
of the member serving as Chairperson; and such records shall be
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the property of the House and all members of the House shall have
access thereto.
(d) House records of the Committee which are at the National
Archives shall be made available pursuant to rule VII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives. The Chairperson shall notify the
ranking minority member of any decision to withhold a record pur-
suant to the rule, and shall present the matter to the Committee
upon written request of any Committee member.
(e) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall make
its publications available in electronic form.
Rule No. 5—Proxies
No vote by any member in the Committee may be cast by proxy.
Rule No. 6—Power To Sit and Act; Subpoena Power
(a) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions and duties
under rules X and XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives,
the Committee is authorized (subject to subparagraph (b)(1) of this
paragraph)—
(1) to sit and act at such times and places within the United
States, whether the House is in session, has recessed, or has
adjourned, and to hold such hearings; and
(2) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and
testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books,
records, correspondence, memorandums, papers, documents
and other materials as it deems necessary, including materials
in electronic form. The Chairperson, or any member designated
by the Chairperson, may administer oaths to any witness.
(b)(1) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the Chair-
person of the full Committee, in accordance with clause 2(m) of rule
XI of the House of Representatives, in the conduct of any investiga-
tion or activity or series of investigations or activities within the
jurisdiction of the Committee, following consultation with the rank-
ing minority member.
(2) In addition, a subpoena may be authorized and issued by
the Committee in accordance with clause 2(m) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, in the conduct of any
investigation or activity or series of investigations or activities,
when authorized by a majority of the Members voting, a major-
ity of the Committee being present. Authorized subpoenas
shall be signed by the Chairperson or by any Member des-
ignated by the Committee.
(3) At least two business days before issuing any subpoena
pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Chairperson
shall consult with the ranking minority member regarding the
authorization and issuance of such subpoena, and the Chair-
person shall provide a full copy of the proposed subpoena, in-
cluding any proposed document schedule, at that time.
(4) The requirements of paragraph (3) may be waived in the
event of an exigent circumstance that does not reasonably
allow for advance written notice.
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Rule No. 7—Quorums
No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the House
unless a majority of the Committee is actually present. For the
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purposes of taking any action other than reporting any measure,
issuance of a subpoena, closing meetings, promulgating Committee
orders, or changing the rules of the Committee, one-third of the
members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. For purposes
of taking testimony and receiving evidence, two members shall con-
stitute a quorum.
Rule No. 8—Amendments
Any amendment offered to any pending legislation before the
Committee must be made available in written form when requested
by any member of the Committee. If such amendment is not avail-
able in written form when requested, the Chairperson will allow an
appropriate period of time for the provision thereof.
Rule No. 9—Hearing Procedures
(a) The Chairperson shall make public announcement of the date,
place, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted on any
measure or matter at least one week before the commencement of
that hearing. If the Chairperson, with the concurrence of the rank-
ing minority member, determines that there is good cause to begin
the hearing sooner, or if the Committee so determines by majority
vote, a quorum being present, the Chairperson shall make the an-
nouncement at the earliest possible date. The clerk of the Com-
mittee shall promptly notify the Daily Digest Clerk of the Congres-
sional Record as soon as possible after such public announcement
is made.
(b) Unless excused by the Chairperson, each witness who is to
appear before the Committee shall file with the clerk of the Com-
mittee, at least 48 hours in advance of his or her appearance, a
written statement of his or her proposed testimony and shall limit
his or her oral presentation to a summary of his or her statement.
(c) When any hearing is conducted by the Committee upon any
measure or matter, the minority party members on the Committee
shall be entitled, upon request to the Chairperson by a majority of
those minority members before the completion of such hearing, to
call witnesses selected by the minority to testify with respect to
that measure or matter during at least one day of hearings there-
on.
(d) All other members of the Committee may have the privilege
of sitting with any subcommittee during its hearing or delibera-
tions and may participate in such hearings or deliberations, but no
member who is not a member of the subcommittee shall count for
a quorum or offer any motion or amendment or vote on any matter
before the subcommittee.
(e) Committee members may question witnesses only when they
have been recognized by the Chairperson for that purpose, and only
for a 5-minute period until all members present have had an oppor-
tunity to question a witness. The 5-minute period for questioning
a witness by any one member can be extended as provided by
clause 2(j) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
The questioning of a witness in Committee hearings shall be initi-
ated by the Chairperson, followed by the ranking minority member
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and all other members alternating between the majority and mi-
nority. In recognizing members to question witnesses in this fash-
ion, the Chairperson shall take into consideration the ratio of the
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majority to minority members present and shall establish the order
of recognition for questioning in such a manner as not to disadvan-
tage the members of the majority. The Chairperson may accom-
plish this by recognizing two majority members for each minority
member recognized.
(f) The following additional rules shall apply to hearings of the
Committee as applicable:
(1) The Chairperson at a hearing shall announce in an open-
ing statement the subject of the investigation.
(2) A copy of the Committee rules and this clause shall be
made available to each witness as provided by clause 2(k)(2) of
rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
(3) Witnesses at hearings may be accompanied by their own
counsel for the purpose of advising them concerning their con-
stitutional rights.
(4) The Chairperson may punish breaches of order and deco-
rum, and of professional ethics on the part of counsel, by cen-
sure and exclusion from the hearings; and the Committee may
cite the offender to the House for contempt.
(5) If the Committee determines that evidence or testimony
at a hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any
person, it shall—
(A) afford such person an opportunity voluntarily to ap-
pear as a witness;
(B) receive such evidence or testimony in executive ses-
sion; and
(C) receive and dispose of requests from such person to
subpoena additional witnesses.
(6) Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection,
the Chairperson shall receive, and the Committee shall dispose
of, requests to subpoena additional witnesses.
(7) No evidence or testimony taken in executive session may
be released or used in public sessions without the consent of
the Committee.
(8) In the discretion of the Committee, witnesses may sub-
mit brief and pertinent sworn statements in writing for inclu-
sion in the record. The Committee is the sole judge of the perti-
nence of testimony and evidence adduced at its hearing.
(9) A witness may obtain a transcript copy of his testimony
given at a public session or, if given at an executive session,
when authorized by the Committee.
Rule No. 10—Procedures for Reporting Measures or Matters
(a)(1) It shall be the duty of the Chairperson to report or cause
to be reported promptly to the House any measure approved by the
Committee and to take or cause to be taken necessary steps to
bring the matter to a vote.
(2) In any event, the report of the Committee on a measure
which has been approved by the Committee shall be filed with-
in 7 calendar days (exclusive of days on which the House is not
in session) after the day on which there has been filed with the
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clerk of the Committee a written request, signed by a majority
of the members of the Committee, for the reporting of that
measure. Upon the filing of any such request, the clerk of the
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Committee shall transmit immediately to the Chairperson no-
tice of the filing of that request.
(b)(1) No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the
House unless a majority of the Committee is actually present.
(2) With respect to each record vote on a motion to report
any measure or matter of a public character, and on any
amendment offered to the measure or matter, the total number
of votes cast for and against, and the names of those members
voting for and against, shall be included in the Committee re-
port on the measure or matter.
(c) The report of the Committee on a measure or matter which
has been approved by the Committee shall include the matters re-
quired by clause 3(c) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Rep-
resentatives.
(d)(1) If, at the time any measure or matter is ordered reported
by the Committee, any member of the Committee gives notice of in-
tention to file supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting
views, that member shall be entitled to not less than two additional
calendar days after the day of such notice, commencing on the day
on which the measure or matter(s) was approved, excluding Satur-
days, Sundays, and legal holidays, in which to file such views, in
writing and signed by that member, with the clerk of the Com-
mittee.
(2) All such views so filed by one or more members of the
Committee shall be included within, and shall be a part of, the
report filed by the Committee with respect to that measure or
matter.
(3) The report of the Committee upon that measure or mat-
ter shall be printed in a single volume which—
(A) shall include all supplemental, minority, additional
or dissenting views, in the form submitted, by the time of
the filing of the report, and
(B) shall bear upon its cover a recital that any such sup-
plemental, minority, additional, or dissenting views (and
any material submitted under subparagraph (c)) are in-
cluded as part of the report. This subparagraph does not
preclude—
(i) the immediate filing or printing of a Committee
report unless timely request for the opportunity to file
supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting views
has been made as provided by subsection (c); or
(ii) the filing of any supplemental report upon any
measure or matter which may be required for the cor-
rection of any technical error in a previous report
made by the Committee upon that measure or matter.
(4) shall, when appropriate, contain the documents required
by clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House.
(e) The Chairperson, following consultation with the ranking mi-
nority member, is directed to offer a motion under clause 1 of rule
XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives relating to going
to conference with the Senate, whenever the Chairperson considers
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it appropriate.
(f) If hearings have been held on any such measure or matter so
reported, the Committee shall make every reasonable effort to have
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such hearings published and available to the members of the House
prior to the consideration of such measure or matter in the House.
(g) The Chairperson may designate any majority member of the
Committee to act as floor manager of a bill or resolution during its
consideration in the House.
Rule No. 11—Committee Oversight
(a) The Committee shall conduct oversight of matters within the
jurisdiction of the Committee in accordance with clauses 2 and 4
of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
(b) Not later than March 1 of the first session of a Congress and
in accordance with clause 2(d) of rule X of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, the Committee shall prepare an oversight plan
for that Congress.
Rule No. 12—Review of Continuing Programs; Budget Act
Provisions
(a) The Committee shall, in its consideration of all bills and joint
resolutions of a public character within its jurisdiction, ensure that
appropriation for continuing programs and activities of the Federal
Government will be made annually to the maximum extent feasible
and consistent with the nature, requirement, and objectives of the
programs and activities involved. For the purposes of this para-
graph a Government agency includes the organizational units of
government listed in clause 4(e) of rule X of the Rules of the House
of Representatives.
(b) The Committee shall review, from time to time, each con-
tinuing program within its jurisdiction for which appropriations are
not made annually in order to ascertain whether such program
could be modified so that appropriations therefore would be made
annually.
(c) The Committee shall, in accordance with clause 4(f)(1) of rule
X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, submit to the Com-
mittee on the Budget (1) its views and estimates with respect to
all matters to be set forth in the concurrent resolution on the budg-
et for the ensuing fiscal year which are within its jurisdiction or
functions, and (2) an estimate of the total amounts of new budget
authority, and budget outlays resulting there from, to be provided
or authorized in all bills and resolutions within its jurisdiction
which it intends to be effective during that fiscal year.
(d) Whenever the Committee is directed in a concurrent resolu-
tion on the budget to determine and recommend changes in laws,
bills, or resolutions under the reconciliation process it shall
promptly make such determination and recommendations, and re-
port a reconciliation bill or resolution (or both) to the House or sub-
mit such recommendations to the Committee on the Budget, in ac-
cordance with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Rule No. 13—Broadcasting of Committee Hearings and
Meetings
Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee
is open to the public, those proceedings shall be open to coverage
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by television, radio, and still photography, as provided in clause 4
of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, subject to
the limitations therein. Operation and use of any Committee Inter-
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net broadcast system shall be fair and nonpartisan and in accord-
ance with clause 4(b) of rule XI of the Rules of the house of Rep-
resentatives and all other applicable rules of the Committee and
the House.
Rule No. 14—Committee Staff
The staff of the Committee on House Administration shall be ap-
pointed as follows:
(a) The staff shall be appointed by the Chairperson except as pro-
vided in paragraph (b), and may be removed by the Chairperson,
and shall work under the general supervision and direction of the
Chairperson;
(b) All staff provided to the minority party members of the Com-
mittee shall be appointed by the ranking minority member, and
may be removed by the ranking minority member of the Com-
mittee, and shall work under the general supervision and direction
of such member;
(c) The appointment of all professional staff shall be subject to
the approval of the Committee as provided by, and subject to the
provisions of, clause 9 of rule X of the Rules of the House;
(d) The Chairperson shall fix the compensation of all staff of the
Committee, after consultation with the ranking minority member
regarding any minority party staff, within the budget approved for
such purposes for the Committee.
Rule No. 15—Travel of Members and Staff
(a) Consistent with the primary expense resolution and such ad-
ditional expense resolutions as may have been approved, the provi-
sions of this rule shall govern travel of Committee members and
staff. Travel for any member or any staff member shall be paid
only upon the prior authorization of the Chairperson or her or his
designee. Travel may be authorized by the Chairperson for any
member and any staff member in connection with the attendance
at hearings conducted by the Committee and meetings, conferences,
and investigations which involve activities or subject matter under
the general jurisdiction of the Committee. Before such authoriza-
tion is given there shall be submitted to the Chairperson in writing
the following:
(1) The purpose of the travel;
(2) The dates during which the travel will occur;
(3) The locations to be visited and the length of time to be
spent in each; and
(4) The names of members and staff seeking authorization.
(b)(1) In the case of travel outside the United States of members
and staff of the Committee for the purpose of conducting hearings,
investigations, studies, or attending meetings and conferences in-
volving activities or subject matter under the legislative assign-
ment of the committee, prior authorization must be obtained from
the Chairperson. Before such authorization is given, there shall be
submitted to the Chairperson, in writing, a request for such au-
thorization. Each request, which shall be filed in a manner that al-
lows for a reasonable period of time for review before such travel
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is scheduled to begin, shall include the following:
(A) the purpose of the travel;
(B) the dates during which the travel will occur;
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11
(C) the names of the countries to be visited and the
length of time to be spent in each;
(D) an agenda of anticipated activities for each country
for which travel is authorized together with a description
of the purpose to be served and the areas of committee ju-
risdiction involved; and
(E) the names of members and staff for whom authoriza-
tion is sought.
(2) At the conclusion of any hearing, investigation, study,
meeting or conference for which travel outside the United
States has been authorized pursuant to this rule, members and
staff attending meetings or conferences shall submit a written
report to the Chairperson covering the activities and other per-
tinent observations or information gained as a result of such
travel.
(c) Members and staff of the Committee performing authorized
travel on official business shall be governed by applicable laws, res-
olutions, or regulations of the House and of the Committee on
House Administration pertaining to such travel.
Rule No. 16—Staff Deposition Authority
The Chairperson may authorize the staff of the Committee to
conduct depositions pursuant to section 3(a) of H. Res. 6, 116th
Congress, and subject to any regulations issued pursuant thereto.
Rule No. 17—Number and Jurisdiction of Subcommittees
(a) There shall be one standing subcommittee, with party ratios
of members as indicated. The subcommittee shall have jurisdiction
as stated by these rules, may conduct oversight over such subject
matter, and may consider such legislation as may be referred to
them by the Chairperson. The name and jurisdiction of the sub-
committee shall be:
(1) Subcommittee on Elections (3/1)—.Matters relating to
voting rights issues and such other matters as may be referred
to the subcommittee.
(b) No subcommittee shall meet during any full Committee meet-
ing or hearing.
(c) The Chairperson may establish and appoint members, con-
sistent with the ratio between majority and minority members
serving on the Subcommittee on Elections, to serve on task forces,
panels, special, or select subcommittees of the Committee, to per-
form specific functions for limited periods of time, as the Chair-
person deems appropriate.
Rule No. 18—Referral of Legislation to Subcommittees
The Chairperson may refer legislation or other matters to a sub-
committee as the Chairperson considers appropriate. The Chair-
person may discharge the subcommittee of any matter referred to
it.
Rule No. 19—Powers and Duties of Subcommittees
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The subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive
evidence and report to the full committee on all matters referred
to it. No subcommittee shall meet during any Committee meeting.
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Rule No. 20—Other Procedures and Regulations
The Chairperson may establish such other procedures and take
such actions as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing rules
or to facilitate the effective operation of the committee.
Rule No. 21—Designation of Clerk of the Committee
For the purposes of these rules and the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the staff director of the Committee shall act as
the clerk of the Committee.
MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSE
ADMINISTRATION
ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION
(Ratio: 6–3)
ZOE LOFGREN, California, Chairperson
JAMIE RASKIN, Maryland RODNEY DAVIS, Illinois, Ranking Member
SUSAN DAVIS, California MARK WALKER, North Carolina
G. K. BUTTERFIELD, North Carolina BARRY LOUDERMILK, Georgia
MARCIA L. FUDGE, Ohio
PETE AGUILAR, California
SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS
(Ratio: 3–1)
MARCIA L. FUDGE, Ohio, Chair
G. K. BUTTERFIELD, North Carolina RODNEY DAVIS, Illinois, Ranking Member
PETE AGUILAR, California
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION
The Committee on House Administration organized on February
7, 2019, the Honorable Zoe Lofgren presiding. During the organiza-
tional meeting the Committee adopted the Rules of the Committee
for the 116th Congress Committee Resolution 116–01). The Com-
mittee also reconstituted the Subcommittee on Elections and estab-
lished its jurisdiction and membership (Committee Resolution 116–
02). The Committee approved five additional Committee Resolu-
tions: Committee Resolution 116–03, to adopt the Parking Policy
for the 116th Congress; Committee Resolution 116–04, to promul-
gate regulations regarding mandatory anti-harassment and anti-
discrimination policies for House offices; Committee Resolution
116–05, to promulgate regulations regarding the use of exercise fa-
cilities; Committee Resolution 116–06, to promulgate regulations
regarding Eligible Congressional Member Organizations; and Com-
mittee Resolution 116–07, to promulgate regulations regarding dis-
playing a statement of rights and protections provided to House
employees.
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COMMITTEE STAFF
MAJORITY STAFF
JAMIE FLEET, Staff Director
KHALIL ABBOUD, Deputy Staff Director
ENUMALE AGADA, Oversight Counsel (October 2020–Present)
AARON ALLEN, Professional Staff (February 2019–June 2019)
HECTOR ARIAS, Staff Assistant (April 2019–June 2020)
PATRICK BRIGGS, Professional Staff Member (April 2020–Present)
SYDNEY BURNS, Staff Assistant (January 2019–August 2019)
GEORGINA CANNAN, Elections Counsel (October 2019–Present)
KYLIE CARPENTER, Professional Staff—Franking (July 2019–Present)
HANNAH CARR, Staff Assistant (May 2019–Present)
MEREDITH CONNOR, Professional Staff (January 2019–July 2019; September 2019–November
2019)
MATT DEFREITAS, Franking Staff Director
ARWA DUBAD, Professional Staff–Franking (October 2019–Present)
EDDIE FLAHERTY, Chief Clerk
MANNAL HADDAD, Press Secretary (March 2019–May 2020)
KEMBA A. HENDRIX, Diversity Director (January 2019–March 2020)
ROBERT HENLINE, Director of Member Services
ELIZABETH L. HIRA, Elections Counsel (January 2019–October 2019)
KALUNI JALATA, Elections Counsel (September 2019–Present)
BRANDON JACOBS, Legislative Clerk (March 2020–Present)
SEAN JONES, Legislative Clerk (January 2019–February 2020)
AARON LASURE, Professional Staff (March 2019–Present)
MARIAM MALIK, Staff Assistant (January 2019–September 2020)
JOSE MORALES, Staff Assistant (February 2020–Present)
TERI MORGAN, Deputy Staff Director
SARAH NASTA, Elections Counsel (March 2019–Present)
GIANCARLO PELLEGRINI, Elections Counsel (November 2019–Present)
TANYA SEHGAL, Senior Elections Counsel (January 2019–January 2020)
STEPHEN E. SPAULDING, Elections Counsel (January 2019–October 2020)
MATT SCHLESINGER, Oversight Counsel (August 2019–Present)
SAI SINGH, Staff Assistant (August 2020–Present)
DANIEL TAYLOR, Deputy Staff Director and Chief Counsel (March 2019–Present)
DAVID TUCKER, Senior Counsel and Parliamentarian
PETER WHIPPY, Communications Director
GINA WRIGHT, Professional Staff—Franking (April 2019–September 2019)
SEAN WRIGHT, Senior Elections Counsel (October 2020–Present)
NATALIE YOUNG, Press Secretary (July 2020–Present)
MINORITY STAFF
JEN DAULBY, Republican Staff Director (February 2019–Present)
JAIDE BARJA, Staff Assistant (October 2020–Present)
KIMBERLY BETZ, Republican General Counsel (January 2019)
THOMAS BLANFORD, Staff Assistant (February 2019–May 2019)
JEYBEN CASTRO, Director of Diversity & Inclusion (February 2020–May 2020)
AUSTIN CHO, Administrative Assistant (January 2019)
ELISABETH CONKLIN, Professional Staff (April 2019–Present)
NICK CROCKER, Director of Member Services
MARY S. ENGLUND, Director, Administration and Operations (January 2019–May 2020)
ROBERTO ESTRADA LOBO, Professional Staff, (April 2019–Present)
COLE FELDER, Republican General Counsel (February 2019–August 2020)
CALEB HAYS, Chief Legal Counsel for Elections (August 2020–Present)
DANIEL JARRELL, Professional Staff (January 2019–February 2019)
SUSANNAH JOHNSTON, Professional Staff (September 2019–Present)
KEIGHLE JOYCE, Counsel Clerk (October 2019–Present)
JOY LEE, Counsel (March 2019–July 2019)
TIM MONAHAN, Deputy Staff Director
AUBREY NEAL, Director of Modernization Initiatives (December 2020–Present)
COURTNEY PARELLA, Communications Director (January 2019–May 2020)
BRITTANY RANDALL, Director of Member Services (January 2019–January 2020)
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JESSE ROBERTS, Counsel (February 2019–September 2020)
JANET SCHWALB, Director of Administration
TIMOTHY SULLIVAN, Republican Franking Staff Director (January 2019–September 2020)
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OVERSIGHT PLAN FOR THE 116TH CONGRESS
Clause 2(d) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representa-
tives states:
(d)(1) Not later than March 1 of the first session of a Con-
gress, the chair of each standing committee (other than the
Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Ethics, and
the Committee on Rules) shall—
(A) prepare, in consultation with the ranking minority mem-
ber, an oversight plan for that Congress;
(B) provide a copy of that plan to each member of the com-
mittee for at least seven calendar days before its submission;
and
(C) submit that plan (including any supplemental, minority,
additional, or dissenting views submitted by a member of the
committee) simultaneously to the Committee on Oversight and
Reform and the Committee on House Administration.
Accordingly, the Committee submitted the following oversight
plan in accordance with this provision:
COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION
OVERSIGHT PLAN FOR THE 116TH CONGRESS
COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION
MEMBER SERVICES
• Oversee Members’ allowance amounts, including structure and
regulations.
• Provide guidance and outreach to congressional offices to en-
sure compliance with committee regulations.
• Review and revise the Members’ Congressional Handbook, a
set of regulations governing the appropriate use of the Members’
Representational Allowance.
• Review and revise the guide to outfitting and maintaining an
office of the United States House of Representatives, a set of regu-
lations governing the acquisition, transfer, and disposal of fur-
nishings, equipment, software, and related services.
• Review the calculation of the Members’ Representational Al-
lowance and ensure that all members have adequate resources for
representing their constituents.
• Oversee the processing of vouchers and direct payments, in-
cluding those for payroll. Continue to monitor the implementation
of the electronic vouchering system.
• Work with the Officers of the House, the Architect of the Cap-
itol and the legislative branch agencies to provide meaningful out-
reach to member offices and provide that the views of member of-
fices are incorporated into their ongoing work.
New Member Orientation
• Plan, implement, and oversee the New Member Orientation
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program for newly-elected Members of Congress.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of the Congressional
Research Service new member issues seminar in Williamsburg.
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• Work with the Congressional Research Service and other sup-
port agencies to make available additional on-going professional de-
velopment services for new members and staff.
Intern program
• In coordination with the Senate Committee on Rules and Ad-
ministration, organize, administer, and oversee the intern lecture
series.
• Review and consider revising the intern handbook and other
publications and communication materials used in support of the
intern program.
• Continue and expand the Gregg and Livingston Harper con-
gressional internship program for individuals with intellectual dis-
abilities.
COMMITTEE FUNDING AND OVERSIGHT
• Review monthly reports on committee activities and expendi-
tures.
• Review the Committees’ Congressional Handbook regulations
governing expenditure of committee funds and update regulations
as needed.
• Review primary and any secondary expense resolutions and
approve authorization of committee-funding levels in committee
and by House Resolution.
• Review committees’ franking expenditures.
• Review the use of consultant contracts.
CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1995
• Monitor implementation of the Congressional Accountability
Act of 1995 (P.L. 104–1, 109 Stat. 3) and the reforms provided for
in P.L. 115–397 (132 Stat. 5297).
• Monitor the development and deployment of the climate sur-
vey.
• Review data on workplace rights information.
• Review regulations adopted by the Office of Congressional
Workplace Rights.
• Evaluate resources available to the Office of Congressional
Workplace Rights and House employing offices to facilitate imple-
mentation of the Act.
• Conduct general oversight of the office of Office of Congres-
sional Workplace Rights.
• Conduct specific oversight of the implementation of the Office
of Congressional Workplace Rights IT system.
• Monitor ongoing judicial proceedings to determine the impact
on the Congressional Accountability Act.
• Monitor for the ongoing anti-harassment and anti-discrimina-
tion workplace rights training, including development of the cur-
riculum and administration of in district trainings.
• Oversee the Office of Employee Advocacy.
FRANKING COMMISSION
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• Oversee the Members’ use of the congressional frank and other
unsolicited mass communications by providing guidance, advice,
and counsel through consultation or advisory opinions.
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• Review proposals to modernize the franking practices of Mem-
bers, and regulations governing such mailings and communica-
tions.
• Monitor current prohibition on mass mailings 90 days before a
primary or general election.
• Oversee efforts to ensure compliance with franked mailings
and communications reporting requirements, and the Chief Admin-
istrative Officer’s (CAO) implementation of new digital form proce-
dures.
• Implement approved procedures to increase transparency and
improve the accounting of franked mail costs.
• Revise the regulations on the use of the congressional frank
and rules on practice in proceedings before the House Commission
on Congressional Mailing Standards.
• Coordinate with the Member Services team to update, refine,
and modernize policies related to the official use of communications
resources.
• Coordinate with the Clerk of the House and CAO to identify
and implement new applications, resources, and procedures for the
House to be more transparent, accountable, accessible, and to meet
Member and Committee office’s obligations related to official com-
munications.
HOUSE OFFICERS AND HOUSE OPERATIONS
• Coordinate with House Officers and officials to develop long
term plans and goals for the administrative, financial and adminis-
trative functions of the House.
• Oversee an effort to recruit and retain a more diverse work-
force among all the House Officers.
• Work with House Officers to identify and reduce spending and
create more cost effective and efficient operations within the
House.
• Analyze management improvement proposals and other initia-
tives submitted by the House Officers, the Inspector General, the
Capitol Police Board, the Architect of the Capitol, the Library of
Congress, and other legislative branch agencies.
• Coordinate with the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch Ap-
propriations on matters impacting operations of the House and
joint entities.
• Provide policy guidance to the House Officers, Inspector Gen-
eral and the joint entities as appropriate.
• Oversee compliance with the House Employee Classification
Act (2 U.S.C. §§ 291 et seq.).
• Assure coordination among officers and joint entities on admin-
istrative and technology matters, including reviewing existing IT
security policies.
• Provide policy guidance and conduct oversight of security and
safety issues and congressional entities charged with such roles.
• Assure coordination among officers and joint entities on the de-
velopment of a comprehensive district office support program.
Chief Administrative Officer
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• Provide policy direction for the Chief Administrative Officer.
Continue the review of functions and administrative operations as-
signed to the Chief Administrative Officer.
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• Review existing asset management processes.
• Review House procurement policies and monitor the effective-
ness of the Chief Administrative Officer’s procurement and contract
management functions. Review procedures for processing contracts
with the House that exceed the threshold of $350,000.
• Continue to review ongoing process and technology upgrades to
the House financial management system and ensuring appropriate
internal controls are in place.
• Monitor reforms to the Office of Finance and Payroll and Bene-
fits as provided for by the Inspector General and outside consult-
ants.
• Review and oversee information technology services provided,
maintained or hosted by House Information Resources. Continue
oversight of failsafe procedures to guarantee continuity of oper-
ations.
• Review new technology initiatives to better serve members,
committees, and the public.
• Review semi-annual financial and operational status reports;
oversee implementation of changes in operations to improve serv-
ices and increase efficiencies.
• Review training offerings available to members and staff
through the congressional staff academy.
• Review the development and roll-out of the CAO’s customer ad-
vocate program.
• Review the operations of the House gift shop and its manage-
ment.
• Continued review of House restaurant operations; furniture
policy, inventory and selection; and alternatives to the current mail
delivery process to strengthen the services and tools available to
members and staff.
• Examine Chief Administrative Officer’s role in assuring acces-
sibility to the House wing of the Capitol, the House office buildings
and other House facilities consistent with the Americans with Dis-
abilities Act.
• Review staff benefits offered by the House and proposals to
modify benefits.
• Review the Wounded Warrior Program and develop rec-
ommendations, in consultation with veteran’s organizations, about
improvements to the program.
• Review the officially sanctioned ‘‘Congressional App Chal-
lenge.’’
Clerk of the House
• Review and approve contracts and requests for proposals by
the Clerk that exceed the $350,000 spending threshold.
• Review the Clerk’s current IT configuration and redundancy
posture.
• Oversee the House document repository.
• Review standards for the electronic exchange of legislative in-
formation among the houses of congress and legislative-branch
agencies.
• Coordinate on matters under the jurisdiction of the House Fine
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Arts Board and the Capitol Preservation Board.
• Continue review of functions and administrative operations as-
signed to the Clerk.
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• Review of semi-annual financial and operational status reports;
recommend changes in operations to improve services and increase
efficiencies.
• Review the printing needs of the Clerk to evaluate the poten-
tial for eliminating duplication.
• Review the application programming interface incorporated in
the Clerk’s newly-developed website.
• Oversee preparation of congressionally-authorized publications.
Sergeant-at-Arms
• Review and oversee security operations in the House, including
the House Chamber, the galleries, the Capitol, House Office Build-
ings, Capitol Grounds, and district offices.
• Review and oversee initiatives designed to increase security
and security awareness for Members and staff in district offices.
• Review annual financial and operational status reports; rec-
ommend changes in operations to improve services and increase ef-
ficiencies.
• Review impact of electronic access to controlled spaces.
• Continue review of functions and administrative operations as-
signed to the Sergeant-at-Arms.
• Review the security operation of House parking facilities, regu-
lations, and allocation of parking spaces.
• Consult with the Sergeant-at-Arms on policies adopted by the
Capitol Police Board.
• Review the policies and procedures for visitor access to the
Capitol.
• Examine Sergeant-at-Arms’ role in assuring accessibility to the
House wing of the Capitol, the House Office Buildings, and other
House facilities consistent with the Americans with Disabilities
Act.
• Review staff ID standards.
• Review the impact on staff of garage security implementation.
• Review the use of technology generally in the protection of the
House of Representatives.
• Review the effectiveness of district office security program, in-
cluding the law enforcement coordinator program, enterprise-wide
security system contract, and processes for mail sent to the district
offices.
House Inspector General
• Review, and approve, proposed audit plan and audit reports,
including the annual financial statements audit.
• Ensure that audits and their prioritization is based upon the
assessment of risk to the operations of the House.
• Review comprehensive financial and operational audits of the
House, investigate any irregularities uncovered, and monitor nec-
essary improvements.
• Monitor progress of House audits.
• Continue review of functions and administrative operations as-
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signed to the Inspector General.
• Direct Inspector General to conduct management advisories to
improve implementation and operation of key House functions.
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House Diversity Office
• Pursuant to House Resolution 6, oversee and direct implemen-
tation of the diversity office.
• Collaborating with the legislative branch appropriations sub-
committee, oversee requirement for employment related survey of
the congressional workforce.
• Review and assess diversity plan for each legislative branch
agency.
OVERSIGHT OF LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND OTHER ENTITIES
Information and technology coordination
• Oversee, in conjunction with the Senate, forums for the shar-
ing of technology plans and capabilities among the legislative
branch agencies.
• Oversee, in conjunction with the Senate, the legislative branch
cybersecurity working group with the goal of developing and imple-
menting it standards across the legislative branch.
• Oversee management of the congress.gov website.
• Oversee work of the legislative branch financial managers’
council.
• Provide direction to the Bulk Data Task Force.
Library of Congress
• Conduct a review of the progress that the Library has made
in providing public access to government information, especially in
electronic form.
• Continue oversight of the development of the Library’s Visitor
Experience project.
• Continue oversight of Library of Congress operations, including
inventory and cataloguing systems.
• Continue oversight of Law Library operations.
• Continue oversight of Congressional Research Service oper-
ations and consider any need to modify management and organiza-
tional structure of the service.
• Review implementation of the Library of Congress Fiscal Oper-
ations Improvement Act of 2000 (P.L. 106–481, 114 Stat. 2187), the
Veterans’ Oral History Project Act (P.L. 106–380, 114 Stat. 1447),
the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 (P.L. 106–474, 114
Stat. 2085), and the History of the House Awareness and Preserva-
tion Act (P.L. 106–99, 113 Stat. 1330).
• Consider human-resources legislation proposed by the Library.
• Review the use of technology generally in Library of Congress
operations, and specifically the ongoing work to centralize tech-
nology operations consistent with the guidance from the general ac-
countability office.
• Continue oversight of the Library’s technology hosting environ-
ment transition.
• Review reports by Library of Congress Inspector General and
implementation of audit recommendations. Examine options to im-
prove operation and structure of the Library of Congress Inspector
General’s office.
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• Focus oversight on national library services to provide the
most effective service to their library partners, explore ways to in-
crease the number of users under 65, review the format and con-
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tent for those users and review proposals for a new physical head-
quarters.
Copyright Office
• Review the progress that the Copyright Office has made in pro-
viding copyright application and registration data (both past and
current) online.
• Review the use of technology generally in Copyright Office op-
erations, and specifically the office’s modernization efforts.
• Conduct a review of the Copyright Office’s efforts to commu-
nicate its modernization efforts to stakeholders.
• Conduct a review of security measures and processes for e-de-
posits submitted to both the Copyright Office and Library of Con-
gress.
• Conduct a review of the Copyright Office’s spending authority
and its ability to budget for multi-year capital projects.
• Conduct a review of the examination process with a focus on
the Copyright Office’s initiatives aimed at improving examination
efficiencies and reducing application pendency.
• Review availability of customer service support options avail-
able to applicants.
• Review Copyright Office rulemaking authority and processes.
• Review Copyright Office fee setting authority and the office’s
process for determining the actual cost of services they provide.
United States Capitol Police (USCP)
• Monitor administrative operations of the agency, including
budgetary management, over-time use, civilian component, attri-
tion rates, recruitment efforts and incentive programs for officers
and civilian employees.
• Review proposals for additional USCP authorities, facilities
and equipment.
• Review analysis of uniformed officer post/duty assignments to
determine and authorize force levels to meet the agency’s security
requirements within the Capitol complex to include the Capitol Vis-
itor Center, the Library of Congress, and U.S. Botanic Garden.
• Conduct oversight on House-garage security implementation.
• Conduct oversight of the effectiveness of USCP pre-screeners.
• Review and consider proposals to improve USCP training pro-
gram for new recruits, and in-service training.
• Authorize and oversee the installation and maintenance of new
security systems and devices proposed by the police board.
• Review and authorize regulations prescribed by the police
board for use of law enforcement authority by the Capitol Police.
• Examine Capitol Police role in assuring accessibility to the
House wing of the Capitol, House Office Buildings and other facili-
ties consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Review reports by USCP Inspector General and implementa-
tion of audit recommendations. Examine options to improve oper-
ation and structure of the USCP Inspector General’s Office.
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• Review processes for ensuring adequate physical security for
Members of Congress.
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Government Publishing Office (GPO)
• Oversee operations of the Government Publishing Office, in-
cluding the Superintendent of Documents.
• Review and adopt legislative proposals to reform government
printing by eliminating redundancies and unnecessary printing, in-
creasing efficiency, and enhancing public access to government
publications.
• Continue efforts to reform title 44, United States Code, par-
ticularly provisions related to the Federal Depository Library Pro-
gram.
• Monitor implementation of remedial actions taken by manage-
ment to address audit issues identified by the GPO Inspector Gen-
eral and outside financial auditors.
• Review the printing needs of the House of Representatives to
identify the potential for eliminating duplication.
• Examine current GPO printing and binding regulations to de-
termine advisability of change.
• Oversee Superintendent of Documents’ sales and depository li-
brary programs.
• Review GPO labor practices and labor agreements.
• Review use of GPO facilities and other assets to identify pos-
sible alternatives enhancing value to the Congress and the public.
Architect of the Capitol (AOC)
• Review the operations and organizational structure of the of-
fice of the Architect.
• Participate in the selection process of a permanent Architect of
the Capitol.
• Review the electronic and procured services provided by the
Architect.
• Oversee Architect of the Capitol’s maintenance of House Build-
ings and the House side of the Capitol, and review plans for reha-
bilitation of House Buildings, including oversight over the Cannon
House Office Building renovation.
• Continue oversight of life safety measures, accessibility meas-
ures, and improved evacuation mechanisms in House buildings.
• Review the AOC office of sustainability’s efforts to reduce en-
ergy and waste consumption by the Capitol Complex.
• Oversee operations of the Capitol Visitor Center including the
re-design of Exhibition Hall, in conjunction with the Senate Com-
mittee on Rules and Administration.
• Review and identify ways to create organizational-wide effi-
ciencies and standards across all divisions of the AOC.
• Review reports by Architect of the Capitol Inspector General
and implementation of audit recommendations. Examine options to
improve operation and structure of the Architect of the Capitol In-
spector General’s office.
• Inventory space requirements for unmet and growing child
care needs to employees of the legislative branch and incorporate
child care space planning into the master campus plan.
• Review the pest management practices of the AOC.
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Office of Congressional Accessibility Services
• Oversee management and operations of Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services, such as the implementation of the Ameri-
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22
cans with Disabilities Act (ADA), in conjunction with Senate Com-
mittee on Rules and Administration.
Smithsonian Institution
• Review the Smithsonian Inspector General’s reports on the sta-
tus of the Smithsonian, with a focus on cybersecurity.
• Oversee general museum and research facility operations of
the Smithsonian Institution.
• Review and evaluate the Smithsonian Institution’s use of au-
thorized public funds.
• Review proposed appointments of citizen regents to the Smith-
sonian Institution’s Board of Regents.
• Review proposals for authorization of new Smithsonian facili-
ties, including the National Women’s History Museum and the Na-
tional Museum of the American Latino. Review Smithsonian poli-
cies regarding initiation of planning, design, and construction of
projects.
• Review operations of the National Zoo.
• Oversee Smithsonian science and research facilities including
the work being conducted in Panama.
• Oversee the development of the partnership with the Victoria
and Albert Museum in London, England.
• Review operations and conduct oversight of Smithsonian enter-
prises.
• Review any proposals to charge fees for admission to any
Smithsonian exhibits.
TECHNOLOGY USE BY THE HOUSE
• Continue oversight of House Information Resources and other
technology functions of the House to improve technology govern-
ance, services and the electronic dissemination of information.
• Review and consider recommendations made by the National
Academy of Public Administration in regard to enhancing tech-
nology assessment capabilities within the legislative branch.
• Review cyber security measures and develop strategic plans to
improve policies.
• Review technology standards for hearing rooms as they relate
to the committee broadcast program.
• Oversee and continue to implement an enterprise House dis-
aster recovery program for House offices, standing and select Com-
mittees, and Member offices.
• Task the House Officers to develop and coordinate a House
strategic technology plan.
• Oversee plan for deployment of 5G (the fifth-generation tech-
nology standard for broadband cellular networks).
• Oversee continuation and streamlining of House technology as-
sessment in both new media and cloud services.
• In cooperation with Member Services, review available tech-
nology necessary to support New Member Orientation.
• Review procedures and standards for technology services pro-
vided by outside vendors, individuals, and other entities.
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• Work with legislative branch agencies to communicate avail-
able technology services to all Member, Committee and Leadership
Offices.
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OVERSIGHT OF FEDERAL ELECTION LAW AND PROCEDURES
• Recommend disposition of House election contests pending be-
fore the committee; monitor any disputed election counts.
• Use authority under Article I, Section 4 of the United States
Constitution to provide equivalent opportunities for voters to par-
ticipate in federal elections.
• Review operations of the Federal Election Commission (FEC)
and evaluate possible changes to improve efficiency, improve en-
forcement of the Federal Election Campaign Act, and improve pro-
cedures for the disclosure of contributions and expenditures. Con-
sider authorization issues and make recommendations on the
FEC’s budget.
• Review federal campaign-finance laws and regulations, includ-
ing presidential and congressional public financing, and consider
potential reforms.
• Examine the role and impact of political organizations on fed-
eral elections.
• Review operations of the Election Assistance Commission
(EAC) and evaluate possible changes to improve efficiency and im-
prove implementation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).
• Examine the impact of amendments made by HAVA and the
Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE Act) to the
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)
and consider proposals to improve voting methods for those serving
and living abroad.
• Build the congressional record in support of a reauthorized na-
tional Voting Rights Act.
• Review state and federal activities under the National Voter
Registration Act to identify potential for improvement to voter reg-
istration and education programs and reducing costs of compliance
for state and local government.
• Review all aspects of registration and voting practices in fed-
eral elections. Monitor allegations of fraud and misconduct during
all phases of federal elections and evaluate measures to improve
the integrity of the electoral process.
ADDITIONAL MINORITY VIEWS ON OVERSIGHT OF FEDERAL ELECTION
LAW AND PROCEDURES
The majority election oversight plan covers the jurisdiction of the
Committee and we share in most of these objectives. However, we
differ in the priority of these objectives. As the 116th Congress pro-
gresses we hope to work with the majority in ensuring the integrity
of our nation’s election infrastructure, the rights of states to run
their own elections without undue federal regulation, and the pro-
hibition against predatory election tactics such as ballot harvesting.
LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
OVERVIEW
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The Committee is responsible for providing oversight over the op-
erations of the House, House Officers, the Smithsonian Institution,
the Library of Congress, and federal elections.
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Federal Elections
The Committee conducted extensive oversight of the federal elec-
tions process during the 116th Congress. Examining all facets of
the voting experience, the Committee and Subcommittee on Elec-
tions held numerous hearings and sent oversight letters gathering
critical information on the U.S. election process. The Committee
held five full committee hearings, examining equitable access to
American democracy, the security of our elections, the Election As-
sistance Commission (EAC), election machine vendors, and voting
safely during the COVID–19 pandemic. The Committee sent three
oversight letters to the EAC, three oversight letters to the Federal
Election Commission (FEC), and two oversight letters to voting sys-
tem vendors.
In addition, the Subcommittee on Elections held eight hearings
and a listening session in 2019 examining the state of voting rights
and election administration across America. These hearings en-
abled the American people to relate their experiences in voting and
gathered evidence of the ongoing discrimination and voter-suppres-
sion efforts happening throughout the country, especially efforts
that immediately followed the United States Supreme Court deci-
sion in Shelby County v. Holder.1 The Committee issued a report
prepared by staff of the Subcommittee on Elections, which was led
by Chairperson Marcia L. Fudge, Voting Rights and Election Ad-
ministration in the United States of America, which was included
in the report accompanying H.R. 4—the Voting Rights Advance-
ment Act.2
In 2020, the Subcommittee held hearings on Native American
voting rights, the impact of COVID–19 on voting, voting in the U.S.
territories, and combatting misinformation in the 2020 election.
Additionally, the Committee supported election administration
oversight efforts in connection with U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
issues leading up to the 2020 election, joining an oversight letter
sent to USPS. The Committee also joined the Select Subcommittee
on the Coronavirus Crisis, of the Committee on Oversight and Re-
form, to send oversight letters to election officials in Florida, Geor-
gia, Texas, and Wisconsin, with an additional oversight letter sent
to Texas.
Legislative Branch Operations
House Officers are provided for in the U.S. Constitution.3 During
the 116th Congress, the Committee worked extensively with the
House Officers to develop and implement long term plans, increase
efforts to recruit and retain a more diverse workforce, improve effi-
ciency, review proposed management improvements, provide gen-
eral policy guidance, oversee policy compliance, facilitate coordina-
tion among the House Officers, oversee security and safety issues
and create a comprehensive district office support program.
The Committee conducted robust oversight over the Clerk of the
House, reviewing relevant contracts, information technology capa-
bilities, standards for electronic exchange of legislative information
1 570 U.S. 529 (2013).
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2 Comm. on Judiciary, Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019, 109–251, H. Rept. 116–317,
116th Cong. (2019).
3 ‘‘The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other officers’’ (U.S. Const. art.
I, sect. 2, cl.5).
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within the Legislative Branch, the development and launch of a
new website, House printing needs and other business practices.
The Committee also oversaw the House Document Repository, the
preparation of congressionally authorized publications such as
Women in Congress and the activities of the House Fine Arts Board
and Capitol Preservation Board.
The Committee’s oversight activities with respect to the House
Sergeant-at-Arms included a general review of House security oper-
ations. It also included oversight of the implementation of initia-
tives designed to increase security at district offices and a review
of electronic access to controlled spaces, financial and operational
status reports, security in House parking facilities, visitor access
policies, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, staff
ID standards and technology in general.
The Committee provided significant policy direction and over-
sight to the CAO, reviewing processes pertaining to asset manage-
ment, procurement, contract management, financial management,
payroll and benefits, information technology, Member and staff
training, customer service (including the customer advocate pro-
gram), the House gift shop, restaurants, mail and furniture, acces-
sibility, staff benefits, officially-sanctioned contests such as the
Congressional App Challenge and programs like the Wounded War-
rior Program. The Committee also established in the CAO the SPF
Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star
Family Fellowship Program, modeled after the successful Wounded
Warrior Program.
The Committee worked closely with House Information Re-
sources (HIR), a CAO business unit dedicated to information tech-
nology and cybersecurity. The Committee conducted oversight of
HIR and other technology functions of the House to improve tech-
nology governance, services and electronic information dissemina-
tion. The Committee reviewed cybersecurity measures, hearing
room technology standards, and procedures and standards with re-
spect to external vendors and oversaw a streamlining of technology
assessment procedures. The Committee continues to oversee the
House Disaster Recovery Program and continues to work with HIR
on a strategic plan with respect to technology. Additional detail on
HIR oversight can be found within this report.
The Committee also exercises oversight authority over the House
Office of Inspector General, which provides nonpartisan rec-
ommendations for improving the performance, accountability, and
integrity of House operations. The Committee worked with the Of-
fice of Inspector General to review and approve its audit plan and
reports, including the annual financial statements audit, consid-
ering the various risks to House operations. The Committee also di-
rected the Inspector General to conduct management advisories
and continued to review the Office of Inspector General’s adminis-
trative operations.
The Committee worked to stand up and conduct oversight of the
new House Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Together with the
Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, the Committee
oversaw an employment survey and reviewed diversity plans for
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legislative branch agencies.
The Committee oversaw the establishment of the House Office of
the Whistleblower Ombudsman, created in the House Rules pack-
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26
age passed at the outset of the 116th Congress, to develop best
practices for whistleblower intake for House offices and provide
trainings to House offices on how to safely and confidentially re-
ceive information from whistleblowers.
The Committee’s oversight work extends to other Legislative
Branch entities, including the Library of Congress (Library) United
States Capitol Police (USCP), Government Publishing Office (GPO),
Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services, and the Smithsonian Institution. The Committee provided
oversight of plans for collaboration among these entities, particu-
larly in the context of technology and cybersecurity. The Committee
also provided oversight of the Legislative Branch Financial Man-
agers’ Council and provided general direction to the Bulk Data
Task Force.
The Committee provided extensive oversight of the Library of
Congress, including the Visitor Experience project and other initia-
tives designed to increase youth engagement, digitization of govern-
ment information, and information technology modernization and
centralization. The Committee also reviewed implementation of
several initiatives required by law, such as the Veterans’ Oral His-
tory Project Act and the Library of Congress Fiscal Operations Im-
provement Act. Moreover, the Committee provided detailed over-
sight on several Library units, including the Law Library, Congres-
sional Research Service and National Library Service for the Blind
and Print Disabled. Particular emphasis was placed on the United
States Copyright Office (USCO), which is in the process of a tech-
nology modernization initiative designed to make the USCO sys-
tems more secure, efficient, and stakeholder friendly. This initia-
tive takes into account stakeholder input and addresses recorda-
tion, registration and other vital copyright functions.
The Committee provided detailed oversight of the USCP. The
Committee’s activities included monitoring agency operations, re-
viewing USCP proposals for new trainings and additional authori-
ties, analyzing force levels, and conducting oversight of the garage-
security program, pre-screeners and new security systems and de-
vices. The Committee also reviewed and authorized regulations set
forth by the Capitol Police Board, examined the USCP role in en-
suring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, re-
viewed USCP Inspector General reports and recommendations, and
continually reviewed processes for ensuring adequate physical secu-
rity for Members, their families, and staff. It should be noted that
further accountability measures were included in the omnibus
funding and coronavirus legislation, H.R. 133, the Consolidated Ap-
propriations Act for Fiscal Year 2021, that was agreed to by both
the House and Senate on December 21, 2020 and signed by the
President on December 27, 2020.
The Committee also conducted oversight activities with respect
to GPO. The Committee conducted oversight of general GPO oper-
ations, including the Superintendent of Documents. It also worked
with GPO leadership to enact legislation to reform operations to in-
crease efficiency, continued to review potential changes to The Fed-
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eral Depositary Library Program, monitored the remediation of
management issues identified by the GPO Inspector General, and
reviewed House printing needs, GPO printing and binding regula-
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tions, labor practices and labor agreements, and use of GPO facili-
ties and other assets.
The Committee worked closely with the AOC in an oversight ca-
pacity. Much of the Committee’s focus centered on the Cannon
House Office Building Rehabilitation project. Phase Two of the
project will be complete and delivered by the transition to the
117th Congress. The Committee also reviewed the operations and
organizational structure of the AOC, participated in the selection
of Brett Blanton as the new Architect, and oversaw maintenance
of the House side of the Capitol and House Office Buildings, life
safety and accessibility measures, sustainability efforts, and oper-
ations of the Capitol Visitor Center, including the redesign of Exhi-
bition Hall. The Committee’s oversight activities also included re-
views of AOC Inspector General recommendations, opportunities to
create organizational wide efficiencies and standards, the pest
management practices, and inventory space requirements.
The Committee conducted oversight of the Office of Congres-
sional Accessibility Services. This oversight included general moni-
toring of the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act
and ensuring that the Capitol complex, along with Legislative
Branch websites, are accessible.
With respect to Member Services, the Committee provided over-
sight of the Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA) by pro-
viding guidance to Member offices and revised the Members’ Con-
gressional Handbook which governs, among other things, the MRA.
The Committee also worked with Member and Committee offices to
ensure compliance with relevant regulations; reviewed and revised
relevant handbooks; reviewed regulations pertaining to acquisition,
transfer, and disposal of House furnishings, equipment, and soft-
ware; and collaborated with House Officers and other Legislative
Branch entities to ensure that the views of Member offices are
heard and understood. The Committee also worked with the CAO
as it continued to implement the electronic vouchering system as
a means of streamlining the payment of vendors. With respect to
committees specifically, the Committee reviewed expense resolu-
tions, approved committee funding levels, and reviewed the use of
consultant contracts.
In addition, the Committee facilitated the longest New Member
Orientation program in the history of the House of Representa-
tives. Notwithstanding the challenges posed by the COVID–19 pan-
demic, the Committee worked with the Congressional Research
Service to provide issues briefings and professional development
services for new Members and their staff which, for the first time,
included a paid transition aide.
In another first, the Committee oversaw the creation of a paid
internship program. The Committee also reviewed and revised pub-
lications and communications used to support the intern program
and continued to support the Gregg and Livingston Harper con-
gressional internship program.
The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) requires
Congress and legislative branch entities to follow many of the same
employment and workplace safety laws applied to private business
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and the rest of the federal government. During the 116th Congress,
the Committee conducted oversight of the Office of Congressional
Workplace Rights (OCWR) and other House entities with responsi-
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bility for enforcement of the Congressional Accountability Act. The
Committee reviewed the content development and deployment of
the climate survey as provided for by P.L. 115–397 (132 Stat. 5297)
and oversaw the completion of a new IT intake system for com-
plaints allowing employees to file online. The Committee also
oversaw changes to the updated the Workplace Rights and Respon-
sibilities training program to more specifically tailor the courses to
different members of the House community, including Members,
supervisory staff and more junior staff, both in the districts and in
Washington, D.C. The Committee continues to monitor judicial pro-
ceedings to determine the impact on the CAA and continues to
oversee the Office of Employee Advocacy.
The House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards,
commonly known as the Franking Commission, is responsible for
issuing regulations governing the proper use of official communica-
tions resources, providing advice and counsel to Members and com-
mittees through advisory opinions, and hearing formal complaints
against Members who have allegedly violated relevant law and reg-
ulations. During this Congress, and in coordination with the Select
Committee on the Modernization of Congress, the Commission re-
vised the regulations on the use of the official communications re-
sources to more reasonably reflect the realities of contemporary
digital communications. These changes will also simultaneously
provide more transparency to the public and more flexibility for
Members. In addition, the Committee continued its general over-
sight on use of the frank, monitored compliance with the blackout
on official communications 90 days before a primary or general
election, coordinated with the Office of the Clerk to increase trans-
parency and accountability through technology, and investigated
and disposed of complaints regarding misuse of the franking privi-
lege.
COMMITTEE FUNDING
The Committee reports a biennial primary expense resolution by
which standing and select committees of the House (except the
Committee on Appropriations) are authorized operating funds for
each Congress. During the first three months of each new Con-
gress, clause 7 of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representa-
tives authorizes interim funding authority for committees to oper-
ate until the House adopts a primary expense resolution. This
funding authority is based on upon funding levels from the second
session of the previous Congress.
The funding process begins at the beginning of each new Con-
gress when each House subcommittee introduces a separate House
resolution requesting a specific funding level for committee oper-
ations. These resolutions are referred to the Committee on House
Administration.
On March 12, 2019, the Committee held a hearing titled ‘‘Com-
mittee Funding for the 116th Congress.’’ By prior agreement be-
tween Chairperson Lofgren and Ranking Member Davis, it was de-
termined that committees that submitted a bipartisan budget re-
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quest would not be required to appear before the Committee. The
Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight
and Reform appeared before the Committee and provided testi-
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29
mony regarding that Committee’s budget request for the 116th
Congress.
On March 21, 2019, H. Res. 245, Providing for the expenses of
certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One
Hundred Sixteenth Congress was introduced and referred to the
Committee. The Committee met on March 25, 2019, to mark up the
resolution and ordered the resolution reported by voice vote. The
House agreed to H. Res. 245 on March 27, 2019.
The amounts provided each committee are as follows:
1st Session 2nd Session Total
Committee on Agriculture ......................................................... $5,756,664 $5,756,664 $11,513,328
Committee on Armed Services .................................................. 8,175,111 8,175,111 16,350,222
Committee on the Budget ........................................................ 5,190,212 5,190,212 10,380,424
Select Committee on the Climate Crisis .................................. 1,890,750 1,890,750 3,781,500
Committee on Education and Labor ......................................... 7,289,357 7,289,357 14,578,714
Committee on Energy and Commerce ...................................... 10,573,692 10,573,692 21,147,384
Committee on Ethics ................................................................ 3,507,696 3,507,696 7,015,392
Committee on Financial Services ............................................. 8,538,931 8,538,931 17,077,862
Committee on Foreign Affairs ................................................... 8,120,362 8,120,362 16,240,724 4
Committee on Homeland Security ............................................ 7,654,001 7,654,001 15,308,002
Committee on House Administration ........................................ 5,172,211 5,472,211 10,664,422
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence .......................... 6,231,500 6,231,500 12,463,000
Committee on the Judiciary ...................................................... 7,930,297 7,930,297 15,860,594
Sel. Comm. on the Modernization of Congress ........................ 450,000 37,500 487,500
Committee on Natural Resources ............................................. 6,947,963 6,947,963 13,895,926
Committee on Oversight and Reform ....................................... 9,495,034 9,495,034 18,990,068
Committee on Rules ................................................................. 3,327,189 3,327,189 6,654,378
Committee on Science, Space and Technology ........................ 5,539,827 5,539,827 11,079,654
Committee on Small Business ................................................. 3,098,148 3,098,148 6,196,296
Comm. on Transportation and Infrastructure .......................... 8,915,165 8,915,165 17,830,330
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs ............................................... 4,138,192 4,138,192 8,276,384
Committee on Ways and Means ............................................... 9,133,432 9,133,432 18,266,864
Reserve Fund ............................................................................ 1,500,000 6,500,000
On July 26, 2019, the Committee agreed to Committee Resolu-
tion 116–12 (via Committee Poll No. 5) to allocate $450,000 from
the First Session Reserve Fund to the Select Committee on the
Modernization of Congress. In addition, the Committee, on January
16, 2020, agreed to Committee Resolution 116–14 (via Committee
Poll No. 8) to allocate an additional $912,500 from the Second Ses-
sion Reserve Fund to the Select Committee on the Modernization
of Congress.
On March 23, 2020, the Committee agreed to Committee Resolu-
tion 116–18 (via Committee Poll No. 12) to allocate funds from the
Second Session Reserve Fund. These amounts were as follows:
Committee on Armed Services, $385,000
Committee on Education and Labor, $400,000
Committee on Energy and Commerce, $600,000
Committee on Foreign Affairs, $190,000
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, $450,000
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, $375,000
Committee on Ways and Means, $400,000
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4 The amount provided to the Committee on Foreign Affairs includes $410,000 ($205,000 for
the first session and $205,000 for the second session) to provide funding for the Tom Lantos
Human Rights Commission.
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MEMBERS’ REPRESENTATIONAL ALLOWANCE
The Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA) is the annual
authorization made to each Member of the House to obligate U.S.
Treasury funds not to exceed a certain amount. These funds may
be used by the Member to pay ordinary and necessary business ex-
penses incurred by the Member and his or her congressional office
employees in support of the Member’s official and representational
duties. The Committee oversees the use of appropriations from the
accounts of the U.S. House of Representatives for the MRA as well
as official travel by Members and staff. In addition, the Committee
oversees the compensation, retirement, and administration of bene-
fits of Member office employees. The annual MRA is available for
one legislative year (i.e., January 3 of one year through January 2
of the following year).
In March 2019, Chairperson Lofgren wrote to the Subcommittee
on the Legislative Branch of the Appropriations Committee and
asked the Subcommittee to ‘‘consider a substantial increase for the
MRA.’’ Noting that ‘‘investing in the MRA account helps Congress
attract and retain qualified staff, and communicate effectively with
our constituents,’’ the Committee has sought to authorize a notable
increase in the allowance after years of decline, which had reduced
the ability of the House to conduct its constitutional duties. Accord-
ingly, the MRA for 2020 was increased an average of 4.5 percent.
This represents the greatest increase in eight years for the author-
ization for the MRA. The Committee supports fiscally responsible
increases to the MRA so Members have sufficient resources to per-
form their duties.
HOUSE COMMISSION ON CONGRESSIONAL MAILING STANDARDS
The Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards, also
known as the Franking Commission, was established by Public
Law 93–191 (87 Stat. 737). It is composed of six Members ap-
pointed by the Speaker of the House: three from the majority, and
three from the minority. The Speaker designates the Chairperson
of the Franking Commission who must be: (1) one of the Members
appointed to the Commission, and (2) must also be a Member of
the Committee on House Administration.
In the 116th Congress, the Commission was chaired by Rep.
Susan A. Davis of California, with Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin
serving as Ranking Member. The Chairperson and Ranking Mem-
ber were joined by Commission Members Rep. Brad Sherman of
California, Rep. Debra A. Haaland of New Mexico, Rep. Robert E.
Latta of Ohio, and Rep. Mark Walker of North Carolina.
The primary functions of the Franking Commission, are as fol-
lows:
1. To prescribe regulations governing the proper use of the frank-
ing privilege and other official communications resources by those
entitled to use the privilege in connection with the mailing or con-
templated mailing of franked mail under 39 U.S.C. sections 3210,
3211, 3212, 3213(2), 3218, 3219 or in connection with the operation
of section 3215; in connection with any other Federal law (other
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than any law which imposes any criminal penalty), or in connection
with any Rule of the U.S. House of Representatives relating to
franked mail (2 U.S.C. § 501(d)).
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2. Upon the request of any person entitled to use the franking
privilege and other official communication resources, to provide
guidance, assistance, advice, and counsel, through advisory opin-
ions or consultations, in connection with the distribution or con-
templated distribution of franked mail or official communications
regarding the application and/or compliance with applicable Fed-
eral statutes and House rules and regulations. The staff assigned
to the Commission are delegated authority by the Commission to
perform advisory and counseling functions, subject to review by the
Commission (2 U.S.C. 501(d), House rule XXIV, and the Regula-
tions of the Committee on House Administration).
3. To investigate, decide, and dispose of complaints regarding the
misuse of the franking privilege (2 U.S.C. § 501(e)).
The Franking Commission’s mission throughout the 116th Con-
gress was to modernize and harmonize the content rules governing
the use of official communication resources and platforms. The
Commission Members engaged with Congressional Leadership, the
Committee on House Administration, the Select Committee on the
Modernization of Congress, and other Members of Congress and
their staff on how to best achieve this goal. The first step was to
replace the House manual governing official communications con-
tent with a new, simpler set of rules which prevent the misuse of
taxpayer funds, while creating greater Member accountability, ex-
pediting the approval process, and giving Members the ability to
better adapt to changing technology.
In her role as Chairperson of the Franking Commission, Rep.
Davis testified before the Select Committee on the Modernization
of Congress (SCMC) on two occasions throughout the 116th Con-
gress. On March 12, 2019, she described the intent of the Franking
Commission’s mission for the next two years based on the prin-
ciples of making the franking rules more fitting for modern commu-
nications alongside the goal of increasing transparency and ac-
countability. In addition, she asked for support in pushing Con-
gress to adopt more real-world constituent outreach technology and
practices.
On October 31, 2019, Chairperson Davis again, appeared before
the SCMC to update it on the progress the Commission had made
in achieving its stated goals. At this hearing, Chairperson Davis
also advocated for SCMC’s support in consolidating the jurisdiction
of all official communications content rules under the Commission,
to allow for broader communication subscription options for con-
stituents to receive communications from their Representatives, to
consider methods for permitting transferal of social media followers
from campaign accounts to official accounts, to improve the House’s
unsolicited mass email hygiene and practices, and to update report-
ing measures for the use of the frank.
On December 17, 2019, the Franking Commission agreed unani-
mously to approve Commission Poll 116–1, which became effective
on January 7, 2020. This included the adoption of a brand new
manual, the House of Representatives Communications Standards
Manual (Manual) which replaced and superseded the Regulations
on the Use of the Congressional Frank by Members of the House
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of Representatives and Rules of Practice in Proceedings Before the
House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards. To in-
crease transparency and accountability, it also established a public
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disclosure webpage found on the Clerk of the House’s website for
all Advisory Opinions issued by the Franking Commission, starting
from January 3, 2018. Prior to the creation of this webpage, the
public only had access to Advisory Opinions through in-person re-
quests at the Legislative Resource Center. In addition, the Com-
mission took steps to rename the Commission on Congressional
Mailing Standards to the House Communications Standards Com-
mission, and to set an agenda to update the Rules of Practice and
Procedures of the Commission.
On February 12, 2020, the Committee on House Administration
adopted Committee Resolution 116–16 which amended language in
the Members’ Congressional Handbook and Committees’ Congres-
sional Handbook to grant the Commission jurisdiction on content
regulations related to official communications resources beyond
that of the franking privilege. This included official website and so-
cial media content, telephone town halls, mass SMS messaging,
email newsletters, flyers and other publications, and advertise-
ments across digital, television, and radio platforms.
The Commission took steps to address the COVID–19 pandemic
to waive the pre-election blackout restrictions for non-franked mail
communications discussing resources, safety instructions, and gov-
ernment actions related to addressing this threat to life safety. On
March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Secu-
rity (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump. It in-
cluded a provision amending 39 U.S.C. § 3210(a)(6)(D), granting the
Commission the ability to waive the pre-election blackout restric-
tion for unsolicited postal mail sent in response to or to addressing
threats to life safety. Upon the signing of the CARES Act, the
Franking Commission agreed to Commission Poll 116–2 which in-
cluded conforming updates to the Manual, and to apply the waiver
in response to addressing the COVID–19 pandemic for franked
mail along with all other forms of unsolicited mass communication
previously waived.
On July 9, 2020, Chairperson Davis introduced H.R. 7512, the
Communications Outreach Media and Mail Standards (COMMS)
Act. The bill would amend U.S. Code to rename the ‘‘House Com-
mission on Congressional Mailing Standards’’ the ‘‘House Commu-
nications Standards Commission,’’ expand the authority of the
Commission to regulate, provide guidance to authorized users, and
hear complaints related to the use of official communications, to re-
vise required disclaimers, and to revise restrictions on postal mail
content and communication distribution periods. The COMMS Act
passed the House on July 30, 2020 by unanimous consent. The
COMMS Act was included in H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appro-
priations Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which was signed by the Presi-
dent on December 27, 2020.
All written staff Advisory Opinions issued on or after January 3,
1996, are available for public review and photocopying. In addition,
mass mailings issued prior to that date are available for inspection.
The Legislative Resource Center has made these materials avail-
able to the public. As previously mentioned, the Commission took
steps to make Advisory Opinion widely available online. As of De-
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cember 22, 2020, the Legislative Resource Center had received 29
in-person requests to review Advisory Opinions throughout the
116th Congress. According to analytics on the public disclosure web
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page, there have been 3,195 views since its launch on January 7,
2020.
As of December 22, 2020, the Commission staff reviewed 19,136
requests throughout the 116th Congress. This is an increase of over
31 percent from the 115th Congress, and while the pre-election
blackout exemption for COVID–19 related communications could be
accounted for an increase in the second session of the 116th Con-
gress, the Commission staff reviewed the highest number of re-
quests for Advisory Opinions ever recorded throughout the first
session of the 116th Congress. No official complaints related to the
use of official communications were reported to the Commission.
JOINT COMMITTEES
The Joint Committee on the Library
Established in 1802, the Joint Committee on the Library (JCL)
is the oldest continuing joint committee in the history of the Con-
gress and is made up of certain Members of the Committee on
House Administration (Committee), the chair of the Legislative
Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, and certain members of the
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.5 Chairpersonship
of the JCL switches between chambers each Congress with the
Senate chairing the Joint Committee for the 116th Congress. Mem-
bers of the JCL are appointed by resolution agreed to by the re-
spective chambers.6 For the 116th Congress, the House Members
of the JCL are Vice Chairperson Zoe Lofgren of California, Rep.
G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina, Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio, Rep.
Rodney Davis of Illinois, and Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia.
The House and Senate met on April 30, 2019, to formally orga-
nize the JCL and adopt the rules of the joint committee.
Per statute, the JCL is responsible for acceptance and oversight
of works of fine art in the Capitol collection as well as supervision
of the National Statuary Hall Collection (Statuary Hall).7 8 For the
116th Congress, the JCL approved the following state requests,
each at varying stages of the statue replacement process:
• April 2019: Approved Nebraska’s final bronze statue and
granite pedestal for display in Statuary Hall.
• May 2019: Approved Utah’s maquette.
• November 2019: Approved Florida’s request to replace a
statue in Statuary Hall.
• December 2019: Approved Nebraska’s maquette.
• February 2020: Approved Missouri’s request to replace a
statue in Statuary Hall.
• April 2020: Approved Arkansas’s request to replace both
statues in Statuary Hall.
• June 2020: Approved Florida’s maquette.
• June 2020: Approved Kansas’ full-scale clay model and
pedestal design.
• September 2020: Approved Virginia’s request to replace a
statue in Statuary Hall.
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5 2 U.S.C. § 132b, P.L. 110–5.
6 H. Res. 226, 116th Congress.
7 2 U.S.C. § 2132.
8 2 U.S.C. § 2133.
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• October 2020: Approved Florida’s full-scale clay model and
pedestal design.
• October 2020: Approved Missouri’s maquette.
• December 2020: Approved Nebraska’s full-scale clay model
and pedestal design.
On July 23, 2020, the House passed H.R. 7573, directing the JCL
to remove the bust of Justice Roger Taney from the Old Supreme
Court Chamber, to be replaced with a bust of Justice Thurgood
Marshall, and to remove the statues of Charles Brantley Aycock,
John Caldwell Calhoun, and James Paul Clarke from Statuary
Hall as well the bust of John Cabell Breckinridge from the Senate
wing of the Capitol. The Senate has yet to consider the legislation.
The Joint Committee on Printing and the Government Publishing
Office
In addition to the its standalone authority over the Government
Publishing Office (GPO), the Committee also conducts oversight of
GPO through the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP), a statutorily
created joint committee, the House component of which consists of
the Chairperson of the Committee and four other Committee mem-
bers.9 Like the JCL, Members of the JCP are elected by a resolu-
tion agreed to by the respective chambers. In the 116th Congress,
the House appointed Chairperson Lofgren, Representative Jamie
Raskin, Representative Susan Davis, Representative Rodney Davis,
and Representative Barry Loudermilk. Chairperson Lofgren
chaired the JCP for the 116th Congress.10
The House and Senate met on April 30, 2019, to formally orga-
nize the JCP and adopt the rules of the joint committee.
The JCP, per statute and various joint committee resolutions,
has broad authority over GPO operations and government printing.
Statute provides JCP with the authority to ‘‘use any measures it
considers necessary to remedy neglect, delay, duplication, or waste
in the public printing and binding and the distribution of Govern-
ment publications’’ while JCP Resolution #2 stipulates JCP’s au-
thority extends to ‘‘all matters involving GPO personnel.’’ 11 Statute
also charges JCP with approval authority of collectively bargained
wages between GPO and its trade union.12 After nearly five years
without a contract, the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers and the Fraternal Order of Police reached agreements
with management and the House’s stewardship of JCP restored
long absent labor peace to the agency.
Before making certain expenditures, GPO must first obtain JCP
approval. In the 116th Congress, JCP authorized nearly $300 mil-
lion in investments to improve agency operations, particularly in
XPub, a state-of-the-art technology for XML-based publishing; the
NextGen Passport program, an initiative designed to enhance pass-
port security with more advanced construction and design; and
health and safety enhancements to protect GPO’s workforce.
The House-chaired JCP also oversaw the appointment of GPO’s
first permanent Director in over two years after Hugh Halpern was
9 44 U.S.C. § 101 ‘‘The Joint Committee on Printing shall consist of the chairman and four
members of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the chairman and
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four members of the Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives.’’
10 Supra, note 1.
11 44 U.S.C. § 103, Joint Committee on Printing Resolution #2 adopted May 11, 1982.
12 44 U.S.C. § 305.
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confirmed by the Senate on December 4, 2019. On March 3, 2020,
the Committee held a hearing titled Oversight of the Government
Publishing Office. Committee Members heard testimony from Di-
rector Halpern, Inspector General Michael Leary, and Super-
intendent of Documents Laurie Hall. Notably, it was Director
Halpern’s first appearance as a witness at a Congressional over-
sight hearing.
In response to the ongoing COVID–19 pandemic, and for the
safety of Members and staff, the JCP, working with the Clerk of
the House and GPO, JCP established a regime to allow for the elec-
tronic endorsement of extensions of remarks for publication in the
Congressional Record for the first time in the House’s history.
OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Clerk of the House
The Clerk’s primary responsibilities involve the legislative activi-
ties of the House. This includes managing the bills originating in
the House and overseeing the voting system. The Office of the
Clerk also performs a variety of administrative functions under the
oversight of the Committee. The Office of the Clerk is comprised
of eight divisions, in addition to the Clerk’s Immediate Office.
These divisions include: Office of Legislative Operations, Office of
Art and Archives, Office of Official Reporters, Office of House Em-
ployment Counsel, Legislative Resource Center, Legislative Com-
puter Systems, Office of Communications, and Capitol Service
Groups.
The Committee conducted monthly oversight meetings with the
Clerk and her senior staff on all aspects of the Clerk’s operations,
including oversight of vacant offices, election certifications, finan-
cial disclosures, the Posey Comparative Print Project, implementa-
tion of the updated Clerk website and overall IT posture. Addition-
ally, the Committee worked closely with the Office of the Clerk to
produce an updated edition of Women in Congress,13 which was un-
dertaken by the Office of Art and Archives together with the House
Historian and Government Publishing Office.
Notably, during the global COVID–19 pandemic, the Committee
worked with the Office of the Clerk to implement vital changes to
legislative operations. These temporary changes allowed the House
to continue its to work on behalf of the American people, notwith-
standing the danger of gathering in places like committee rooms
and the House Floor. For example, in April 2020, the Speaker of
the House directed the creation of an electronic hopper to allow for
virtual submission of bills, resolutions, co-sponsors and extensions
of remarks. Since then, as of December 22, 2020, 2,816 measures
have been filed electronically, while just 159 were manually filed
using the traditional process. The Office of the Clerk was instru-
mental in executing on this direction from the Speaker.
On May 15, 2020, the House passed House Resolution 965, which
authorized remote voting by directed proxy during the COVID–19
public health emergency. This Resolution requires Members not
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13 Women in Congress, 1917–2020, prepared under the direction of the Committee on House
Administration of the United States House of Representatives, by the Office of the Historian
and Office of the Clerk, United States House of Representatives, U.S. Government Publishing
Office, Washington, DC, 2020.
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physically in Washington, D.C. to submit a signed letter to the
Clerk designating a specific Member to serve as proxy. Designated
proxies were only permitted to vote as explicitly directed by the
Member not located in Washington, D.C. The Clerk maintained a
list of designated proxies and helped facilitate the voting process
on the House Floor. As of December 22, 2020, the House has con-
ducted 142 roll call votes that included proxy votes. Those votes in-
cluded 6,253 individual votes cast by Members of both parties by
proxy. Several measures passed with proxy votes have been signed
by the President and enacted into law. These votes were accom-
plished without incident.
The Rules of the House for the 116th Congress established, for
the first time, a House Consensus Calendar. The House Consensus
Calendar allows for consideration, on the House Floor, of certain
unreported House bills and resolutions that enjoy broad support.
More specifically, a House-originated measure must: (1) not have
been reported by its committee of jurisdiction; (2) have gained the
support of at least 290 cosponsors; (3) have been subject to a mo-
tion to place the measure on the Consensus Calendar; and (4) have
maintained at least 290 cosponsors for 25 legislative days following
the filing of the motion. A total of 12 motions for consideration on
the Consensus Calendar were made during the 116th Congress.
The Clerk also continued to co-chair the Bulk Data Task Force
and worked with Committee staff to increase transparency by
digitizing legislative material. As part of these duties, the Clerk led
and participated in the Committee sponsored Legislative Data and
Transparency Conference held on October 17, 2020, in the Capitol
Visitor Center. The conference brought individuals from Legislative
branch agencies together with data users and transparency advo-
cates to discuss strengthening access to the legislative process.
The Committee, working with the Clerk and the CAO, initiated
a pilot program regarding field hearings where, for the first time,
the Clerk would provide official reporters and the House Recording
Studio would directly handle broadcast responsibilities. Prior to
this initiative, reporters were hired locally, and broadcast efforts
were often incomplete. This initiative, widely applauded by House
committees, has resulted in field hearings that are consistent in
terms of professionalism and quality with hearings held in Wash-
ington, D.C.
Sergeant-at-Arms
The House Sergeant-at-Arms (HSAA) dates back to the first Con-
gress in 1789 and is the principal law enforcement official for the
House. HSAA is responsible for the security of the House of Rep-
resentatives, the buildings located on the House side of the Capitol
and its campus, as well as Members of Congress, congressional em-
ployees, and visitors. HSAA directs emergency responses and con-
tinuity of government operations for the House. Under clause 3 of
rule II of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the HSAA is
responsible for maintaining order and decorum in the House Cham-
ber. HSAA coordinates special events for the House of Representa-
tives in conjunction with other House and Senate Offices, the U.S.
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Capitol Police (USCP) and external entities. The HSAA, the Senate
Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) make up
the Capitol Police Board (CPB) which oversees the USCP.
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The Committee held two hearings where the HSAA testified:
‘‘House Officer Priorities for 2019 and Beyond,’’ on April 9, 2019,
and ‘‘Oversight of the United States Capitol Police,’’ on July 16,
2019.
Beginning early in 2019 the Committee instituted standing
monthly oversight meetings with the executive teams of the HSAA
to provide oversight over HSAA activities and operations.
In addition to oversight hearings, the Committee worked closely
with HSAA to further key initiatives. These initiatives include:
Joint Audible Warning System
The current audible emergency annunciator system was installed
as a temporary measure following the September 11, 2001, ter-
rorist attacks. The current system components are beyond their
end-of-life dates, battery components are no longer produced, and
vendor support is limited. The current system is unable to work in
conjunction with the Joint Emergency Mass Notification System
(JEMS) or the Public Address System (PAS). HSAA has worked
with the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, USCP, and AOC to procure a
new Joint Audible Warning System (JAWS) to replace the current
system in all five HOBs and the Capitol Visitor Center. JAWS will
incorporate multiple encrypted systems to provide life safety alerts
to Members, staff, employees, and visitors and work with JEMS
and PAS. The Committee looks forward to the successful imple-
mentation of the new JAWS and its contribution to increasing the
safety and security of the House.
District Security Service Center
The District Security Service Center (DSSC) serves as a single
point of contact regarding district security matters. The DSSC ‘‘has
documented over 17,000 interactions with district office staff . . .
[and] coordinated the installation or upgrade of 540 security
systems[.]’’ 14
The threats to Members and their families have steadily in-
creased. The DSSC has improved interactions with Members and
Members’ District Offices nationwide and has put in place a pro-
gram to assess and evaluate information received from Members
and their District Offices in order to better align law enforcement
resources to address threats, emergencies and logistical issues. In
addition, DSSC has worked with the USCP to provide risk assess-
ments to Members regarding off-campus events held in the Wash-
ington, D.C., area as well as Members’ District Offices. HSAA now
pays District Offices security monitoring fees and as of November
2020 added a second nationwide security contractor to assist with
District Office security enhancement requirements. DSSC provided
Members and Members’ District Office staff with threat awareness
training and provided enhanced outreach to District Offices which
experienced natural disasters, active shooter incidents, environ-
mental disasters, security incidents, protests, and COVID–19 pan-
demic matters during the 116th Congress. In addition, HSAA and
CAO have begun an initiative to visit District Offices in order to
better tailor the services provided to these offices and staff, with
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14 Testimony of Paul D. Irving, Sergeant-at-Arms, U.S. House of Representatives, Fiscal Year
2021 Budget Submission Before the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Committee on Appro-
priations, March 3, 2020.
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an annual goal of 150 visits. The Committee has encouraged these
efforts to more effectively integrate Members’ District Offices into
the work of the House and the House community.
In April 2019, the Committee directed the HSAA and CAO to
work together to make customer service and training more com-
prehensive for District Office staff. This led to the Joint District Of-
fice Training Program which was launched in June 2019. HSAA
worked with the Congressional Staff Academy to establish on-line
Law Enforcement Coordinator (LEC) training classes to aid District
Office staffers assigned as LECs and published an updated LEC
Handbook in the spring of 2020.
Garage Security Enhancement Project
Nearly seven years ago, the HSAA commenced the Garage Secu-
rity Enhancement Project as part of a security initiative to incor-
porate all House Office Buildings (HOBs) into a secure perimeter,
in line with Senate Office Buildings as well as the Capitol, and
bring the entire Capitol Complex closer to 100 percent security
screening. During the 116th Congress, HSAA completed Phase II
and III of the Project and began the final Phase IV in October
2020. HSAA estimates a completion date of January 2022.
The HSAA completed its goal of pushing initial screening of all
individuals at pedestrian and garage entries at HOBs. This has re-
duced the need for redundant screening locations in HOBs and per-
mitted the USCP to reassign officers to other important security
assignments. Security screening improvements have also proved
beneficial in improving the effectiveness of the Office of Attending
Physician’s (OAP) recommended enhanced screening safety proto-
cols in response to the COVID–19 pandemic.
COVID–19 Pandemic Response
On February 28, 2020, the HSAA and the OAP issued an e-Dear
Colleague Notice titled ‘‘Coronavirus (COVID–19) Guidance for
House Offices.’’ The HSAA with OAP and House Leadership issued
subsequent guidance on March 27, 2020, via an e-Dear Colleague
Notice titled ‘‘Procedures for March 27, 2020’’ outlining House
COVID–19 protocols while in session. This marked the first time
voting on the House floor would be conducted to keep Members and
staff safe while following OAP and Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) COVID–19 guidelines. The HSAA and OAP fur-
ther refined the House floor guidance and COVID–19 protocols
through December 2020 to ensure the continued safety of Members
and staff.
HSAA, in coordination with CAO and AOC began issuing per-
sonal protective equipment (PPE) to the House community begin-
ning on April 22, 2020. Through November 30, 2020, over 13,000
boxes of masks, nearly 36,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, over 5,500
cannisters of cleaning wipes, and nearly 13,000 boxes of gloves
have been distributed. In addition, HSAA has, as of December 10,
2020, had 958 discrete contacts with the House community of
COVID–19 outreach, including checking office status, PPE inquir-
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ies, or related efforts. The DSSC has documented 5,471 interactions
with District Offices since the start of 2020, including 3,290 related
to COVID–19.
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Chief Administrative Officer
The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is a non-
partisan House office that provides support services and business
solutions to Members and staff. The CAO is tasked with supporting
the finance, procurement, logistics and information technology
needs of the House. The Committee is charged with overseeing the
CAO, which in the 116th Congress was led by Chief Administrative
Officer Phil Kiko. In consultation with the Committee, the CAO en-
tered the 116th Congress focusing on improving customer service,
increasing innovation and modernizing House business practices.
On December 22, 2020, Kiko announced that he would not serve
another term as CAO. Chairperson Lofgren issued a public state-
ment thanking him for his many years of service to make the
House of Representatives work for Members of Congress and the
people they serve.
House Information Resources
The Committee continued to work closely with House Informa-
tion Resources (HIR) to improve technology services and security
for the House. With oversight from the Committee, HIR continued
efforts to modernize its services. A key feature of this moderniza-
tion is the migration to the Office 365 suite. Office 365 provides
House staff with the ability to access software through mobile de-
vices, securely store files, and collaborate on documents with col-
leagues from anywhere. As will be discussed below, this capability
was vital when the House moved to a maximum telework posture
due to the COVID–19 pandemic.
In March 2020, the Committee provided oversight and guidance
as the HIR Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery team
operationalized its plans to support offices during the COVID–19
pandemic. More than 1,500 laptops were rapidly procured and im-
aged, and new tools were deployed to support expanded telework.
HIR leveraged the deployment of cloud services, Office 365 and col-
laboration tools such as Teams, Webex, and Zoom to ensure that
legislative activities and constituent services could continue
unimpeded. For example, Teams Live Events were made available
to the House community. This provided the capability of hosting
both large town hall events and smaller meetings.
Working with other CAO business units, HIR established a
Telework Readiness Center in the Rayburn Cafeteria to provide
software upgrades, security updates, and new equipment for Mem-
ber offices. HIR also collaborated with the Customer Experience
Center and House Recording Studio to provide House staff with
training and tutorials on collaboration tools and other key aspects
of remote work. Moreover, in response to House Resolution 965,
HIR facilitated remote committee hearings, meetings and markups.
As of December 17, 2020, as discussed later in this report, House
committees held 169 entirely remote hearings, 130 hybrid hearings,
4 entirely remote markups, and 36 hybrid markups. This included
the reconfiguration of the Capitol Visitor Center Congressional Au-
ditorium to broadcast a hybrid Committee hearing held by the
House Judiciary Committee.
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Like any governmental entity, the House must be cognizant of
the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats. In consultation with
the Committee, HIR continued to review the House security poli-
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cies and procedures and made improvements where needed. For ex-
ample, HIR promulgated House Information Security Policy
(HISPOL) 8, governing configuration and use of mobile devices;
HISPOL 11, governing information security in the context of tele-
commuting; and HISPOL 19, governing all information systems
that utilize active directory. HIR also, among other activities, con-
ducted cloud risk reviews, hosted a cybersecurity fair and deployed
new identity management service software. At the same time, it
ensured that it was able to block unauthorized scans and screen
questionable emails.
The Committee provided oversight of myriad other efforts to en-
hance the technology user experience for Members and staff. For
example, HIR vetted and deployed cloud solutions to the House,
improved the House public WiFi, enhanced the House network for
district offices, migrated Member websites to the cloud, and added
digital signatures to Member website forms.
Finally, HIR is also working to migrate the House’s data centers
off campus to geographically dispersed, Tier 3 data centers. Despite
delays due to COVID–19, HIR teams worked hard to ensure the
project remained on schedule with an initial operating date of April
2021.
Finance
The CAO built on efforts initiated during the previous Congress
to improve and streamline the Office of Finance. Namely, the Office
of Finance began using in-house knowledge management tech-
nology for CAO employees to establish and share precedents, cre-
ating an institutional record of organizational knowledge. In addi-
tion, the Office of Finance partnered with the Congressional Staff
Academy to create trainings for both CAO staff and House Finan-
cial Administrators on various financial services and processes. The
Office of Finance also improved its customer outreach activities by
relaunching its newsletter, hosting open houses for staff, and im-
plementing ‘‘MyServiceRequests’’’ to facilitate financial counseling
services. Finally, the Office of Finance established a Quality Assur-
ance team, led by a Director of Quality Assurance, which focuses
on improving Member-facing activities and coordinating with other
CAO business units.
Food Services
The Committee has continued its oversight of the administration
of food service contracts. In response to feedback from the House
community, the CAO facilitated the arrival of several new branded
food options, including Au Bon Pain, Jamba, Steak n’ Shake, and
&pizza. These dining options provide additional choice and options
to members of the public who visit the Capitol, as well as legisla-
tive branch staff. In addition, the Members’ Dining Room was
opened to the general public at times when the House was out of
session. Furthermore, in response to the pandemic, the CAO
worked closely with the Office of Attending Physician to ensure all
House eateries operated safely during the COVID–19 pandemic,
while still providing food to the essential workers on campus.
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These efforts included increased cleaning, installing safety shields,
limiting self-serve selections, and placing social distancing decals
and signage at appropriate locations.
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Congressional Staff Academy
The Committee also continued its oversight of the Congressional
Staff Academy. The Staff Academy partnered with HIR to create a
cloud-based learning management system that provides for easy ac-
cess to online courses and in-person course registration. The Staff
Academy also completed a renovation of its classrooms, providing
for increased capacity. The classroom renovations also simplified
the process for hosting and participating in webinars, allowing dis-
trict office staff to utilize the services of the Staff Academy more
easily.
Paid Intern Program
In April 2019, the House Paid Internship program was enacted
with interim regulations established by the Committee. All Mem-
bers of Congress were allocated $20,000 to pay interns in their
Washington, D.C., office through this program. These funds are
separate from the Members’ Representational Allowance and are
disbursed by the CAO. In May 2020, the Committee issued new
regulations that provided each Member of Congress $25,000 to pay
interns and allowed paid interns to work in district offices.
Workplace Rights and Responsibilities Training
In conjunction with the Committee and the Office of House Em-
ployment Counsel, the CAO updated the Workplace Rights and Re-
sponsibilities training program to include separate courses de-
signed for non-supervisory staff, supervisory staff, and Members.
Furthermore, the CAO implemented a new registration system to
improve the experience for users looking to find, register, and track
completion of their training.
COVID–19 Pandemic Response Activities
In addition to increased information technology requirements,
the COVID–19 pandemic required significant changes to normal
House operations. In consultation with the Committee, the CAO
Asset Management team facilitated the acquisition of personal pro-
tective equipment (PPE) and the provision thereof to district of-
fices.
The Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) continued to be a valu-
able resource for Members and staff. OEA’s caseload more than
doubled during the pandemic, and specialized programming was
created for chiefs of staff, district directors, staff directors, case-
workers and other members of the House community. In addition,
the House Wellness Center facilitated webinars on teleworking and
created a COVID–19 toolkit. Moreover, the CAO worked with
House vendors in an effort to prevent their employees—contract
workers in places like House eateries—from being furloughed as a
result of the pandemic. In addition, under guidance from the Com-
mittee, in-person operations like the House Child Care Center,
when permitted to reopen under relevant public health guidelines,
modified protocols and processes to minimize risk of exposure and
spread of COVID–19.
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Other Initiatives
The Committee directed the creation of a new and innovative
program to provide televisions to House offices, leveraging bulk
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purchasing while saving an estimated $1.3 million over the next six
years. Previously, Members were responsible for purchasing office
televisions, which resulted in a medley of different television
brands, sizes, and quality. When Members moved offices, these
televisions would also have to be moved, increasing costs and add-
ing to the end-of-Congress workload of House employees. The new
program, which will standardize House office televisions, will pro-
vide Members with televisions that will remain the property of the
CAO. These televisions will be eligible to be upgraded every six
years.
Additionally, the Committee worked with the CAO to establish
a new Equipment Modernization Initiative for New Members of
Congress. Building upon the Select Committee on the Moderniza-
tion of Congress’ bulk purchasing for technology recommendation,
the CAO will provide computer-related equipment to new Members
of Congress. Prior to this initiative, Members were responsible for
outfitting their offices with computer-related equipment—the new
initiative will realize savings due to the House’s ability to buy
equipment in bulk.
The Committee, in a letter dated June 24, 2019, requested the
CAO to enter into negotiations with the General Services Adminis-
tration (GSA) to enter into a revised Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) covering District Office leases. The existing MOA in place
was entered into in 1997 and revised with an addendum in 2000
and, in the Committee’s view, was outdated and not providing ade-
quate protection and benefit to the House. The CAO successfully
renegotiated the MOA to the satisfaction of both the House and
GSA and a revised MOA was executed toward the end of 2020.
FINE ARTS BOARD
The House Fine Arts Board (Board), established by 2 U.S.C. §
2121, consists of the House members of the JCL and is chaired by
the Chairperson of the Committee. The Board is primarily charged
with supervision of fine arts on display in House-controlled areas
of the Capitol complex and in the House collection generally. The
Board also administers the portraiture process for Committee
chairs for display in the House’s committee rooms.
In February 2020, the Board, on behalf of the House, accepted
a statue of Pierre L’Enfant from the government of the District of
Columbia, for display in a House-controlled space.
In June 2020, the Board oversaw the removal of Confederate por-
traiture from the Speaker’s Lobby in the Capitol.
THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is responsible for the mainte-
nance, operation, development, and the preservation of the entire
Capitol Complex, which includes 17.4 million square feet of build-
ing space and 460 acres of land. The Committee oversees the AOC
with respect to the House side of the Capitol campus, with the ex-
ception of certain decisions that affect the House Office Buildings.
During the 115th Congress, Inspector General Christopher Failla
underscored a clear commitment to institutional integrity and the
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judicious use of taxpayer dollars. The Committee, also committed
to those same values and transparency, has ensured that resources
for audits and investigations of the AOC’s large-scale construction
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projects and other vital services necessary for obligations to Con-
gress are available to the OIG. The AOC OIG Annual Work Prod-
uct Report dated December 8, 2020, shows more than a 550 percent
increase in the number of investigations from 2018, as well as six
major audits per year for 2019 and 2020, compared to a total of
nine during the 115th Congress.
On September 10, 2019, the Committee held an oversight hear-
ing titled, ‘‘Oversight of the Renovation of the Cannon House Office
Building.’’ This was the first hearing on the Cannon House Office
Building Renewal Project (‘‘Cannon Project’’ or ‘‘Project’’) since the
commencement of active construction. The previous hearing had
been held on May 6, 2009. The hearing provided clear oversight di-
rection and led to the disclosure by the AOC of a substantial cost
overrun of 10–15 percent, representing $75 million to $100 million
in additional costs. Testifying at the hearing were Thomas J. Car-
roll, Acting Architect of the Capitol, Christopher P. Failla, Archi-
tect of the Capitol Inspector General, Terrell G. Dorn, Government
Accountability Office Managing Director of Infrastructure Oper-
ations, and Brian A. Abt, Clark Construction, Division CEO, Mid-
Atlantic Region.
During the September oversight hearing, the OIG announced the
independent contractor, Cotton & Company, LLC, would begin
Cannon construction and contract audits to assess the effectiveness
of phases 0 and 1 contract modifications and potential change or-
ders. The audit began on August 13, 2019, and the OIG issued a
final report on May 29, 2020.
In addition, Cotton & Company, LLC performed a second audit
of the Cannon Renewal Project’s invoices for phases 1 and 2 to en-
sure the cost and payments were made in accordance with contract
requirements, AOC policies and procedures, and industry stand-
ards. The OIG issued a final audit report on August 25, 2020.
Following the hearing, the Committee committed to increasing
its oversight of the Cannon Project and increasing coordination and
communication. Weekly meetings were held with senior staff from
the AOC, CAO, USPC, and HSAA to gain a better understanding
of the interdependencies of these internal stakeholders and to im-
prove transparency.
On December 9, 2019, President Trump nominated Brett Blanton
as the 12th Architect of the Capitol and he was sworn in on Janu-
ary 16, 2020. In addition, the AOC hired David Wilder as Super-
intendent to the House Office Buildings in October 2020. Thomas
Carroll, Assistant to the Architect resigned December 11, 2020,
after more than a decade of service to the AOC. The Committee ap-
preciates Mr. Carroll’s public service and many contributions to the
Congress. The AOC, responsible for the delivery of the Cannon
House Office Building Renewal (CHOBr), is in the process of com-
pleting Phase II and preparing to start Phase III.
In responding to the COVID–19 pandemic, the AOC, in coordina-
tion with the House Office of Attending Physician (OAP) and the
Committee, implemented a strict mask policy with monitors and in-
corporated a cleaning protocol to help reduce the transmission of
COVID–19. As the 116th Congress draws to a close, a national
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spike in infections and deaths has reached an all-time high. De-
spite these challenges, phase II of the Cannon Project was deliv-
ered on time with some punch list items that will continue until
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the start of the 117th Congress. Phase III will begin in January
2021.
The Committee continued to conduct oversight of the Capitol Vis-
itor Center (CVC) with a significant portion focused on the redesign
work associated with the Exhibition Hall. The physical renovation
began in the spring of 2019. Oversight of this project is conducted
by the Committee along with the Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration. The CVC anticipates reopening Exhibition Hall
sometime in 2022. In March, the CVC was closed to the public due
to COVID–19 and as of the date of this report, it has not re-opened
to the general public. The CVC, AOC, and Committee continue to
monitor the status of the COVID–19 pandemic and have collabo-
rated on a phased reopening plan. To better serve the public until
the implementation of the phased reopening plan is safe, the CVC
continues to provide virtual resources for the public, including edu-
cational resources and video tours. The video tours are geared both
toward general audiences and middle school students.
The Committee also continues to work with the AOC to identify
potential statutory reforms that would allow it to work more effi-
ciently and effectively. To that end, the Committee and AOC
worked to amend the statute governing the Deputy Architect posi-
tion. This reform, which was included in the year-end omnibus ap-
propriations and coronavirus relief package sent to the White
House for the President’s signature, provides the Architect with ad-
ditional flexibility in delegating duties to the Deputy Architect and
other AOC officials.
Finally, in light of the COVID–19 pandemic and the many
logistical elements required to support New Member Orientation,
the Committee worked with the AOC, House Superintendent,
USCP, HSSA, and the OAP to develop and execute a plan to en-
sure a smooth transition for the new and departing Members. The
plan incorporated virtual activities as much as possible and for in-
person activities. In addition, a COVID–19 testing program was ac-
cessible to all Members-elect and designated aides who travelled to
Washington, D.C., for the program, as well as to others who
worked on orientation. In addition, cleaning protocols were in place
and CDC guidance was followed including the wearing of masks
and appropriate social distancing measures.
INSPECTOR GENERAL
The Committee worked with the House Office of the Inspector
General (OIG) to implement its annual workplan for the continued
improvement of House operations. The plan focused on technology,
efficiency, and financial stability of the House.
Despite the COVID–19 pandemic presenting challenges to car-
rying out its audit function, the House OIG was able to conduct ten
audits this Congress, with six audits being conducted during the
pandemic.
The OIG issued another unmodified financial statement audit for
Fiscal Year 2019, marking the twenty second consecutive year for
the House to receive a clean report. An unmodified audit means
that no material weaknesses were found in internal control over fi-
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nancial reporting and that the House was in accordance with all
material respects with U.S. generally accepted accounting prin-
ciples.
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UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE
The United States Capitol Police (USCP) force protects Members,
staff, the public, and the Capitol campus to allow Congress to fulfill
its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure,
and open environment.
Commencing in March 2019, the Committee instituted monthly
oversight meetings with USCP and the USCP Office of Inspector
General (USCP OIG) throughout the 116th Congress. In addition,
recognizing the importance of rank-and-file officer input, the Com-
mittee held bi-weekly meetings with the Fraternal Order of Police
Labor Union (FOP/Labor). The Committee also held regular meet-
ings with law enforcement entities and non-profit advocacy organi-
zations to discuss the USCP’s operations, effectiveness, and trans-
parency, as well as its interaction with Members, employees, and
visitors.
The Committee held an oversight hearing on July 19, 2019, titled
‘‘Oversight of the United States Capitol Police.’’ At this hearing,
Chairperson Lofgren stated:
The Committee’s oversight includes ensuring the United
States Capitol Police continue to critically review its polic-
ing practices to ensure those practices evolve and are re-
fined based on best practices and new information. We
want to make sure the [USCP] is focused on its core mis-
sion, protecting Congress, and has enough resources to do
so.
And:
[The USCP] must seek to ensure the diversity of its em-
ployees by establishing sound recruiting practices and
sound employee diversity training. A diverse workforce is
a strong workforce and investing in training and develop-
ment will telegraph to the rank-and-file officers of the De-
partment that Congress is committed to investing in you
and your career and that there are more opportunities for
you to compete for roles of increasing and different respon-
sibilities.
Strategic Plan for 2021–2025
The Committee worked with stakeholders to develop key over-
sight areas to incorporate into the USCP’s new five-year strategic
plan. The USCP used a third-party vendor to compile views and
concerns of customers and to identify items deemed critical to the
success of the USCP. The Committee’s recommendations were in-
corporated into the new five-year plan which will serve as a road-
map with clearly defined benchmarks in order to assess and evalu-
ate the USCP’s progress in meeting its stated goals. The USCP’s
Human Capitol Strategic Plan, 2021–2025 complements and di-
rectly supports its strategic plan.
Cyber and Technology Issues
On February 27, 2020, the Committee received the USCP–OIG
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report ‘‘Review of the United States Capitol Police Cyber-Investiga-
tion Capabilities.’’ The USCP–OIG assessed the USCP had ‘‘ade-
quate procedures for cyber capabilities but did not adequately docu-
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ment those procedures in guidance,’’ noting that the USCP did not
have a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the
U.S. Secret Service and that it also had an outdated Memorandum
of Agreement (MOA) with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The
Committee worked with USCP and HSAA recognize these chal-
lenges and to incorporate new administrative processes to formalize
MOUs and MOAs on a regular basis into the Strategic Plan 2021–
2025 and Human Resource Strategic Plan 2021–2025.
In August 2020 the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police De-
partment informed the USCP it would be replacing its current
COLBALT Data base system which must be used by all federal law
enforcement agencies conducting law enforcement arrests in the
District of Columbia. The USCP’s old license agreement prevented
the USCP from appropriately interfacing with the COLBALT sys-
tem and transfer critical data to its systems. The USCP’s transition
to the new system would allow it to use critical data in its intel-
ligence assessment evaluations as well as keep accurate records of
all individuals with which it has contact. The Committee fully sup-
ports the acquisition of a new Mark43 cloud-based software system
which is expected to be completed in February 2021.
Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action
During August 2020, the Committee engaged the USCP to ascer-
tain the status regarding the Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity
and Action (IDEA) efforts to engage its workforce, especially after
the summer of national civil protests relating to the tragic killings
of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbrey, and Breonna Taylor, among oth-
ers. On September 2, 2020, the USCP provided a formal briefing
of its intent to conduct Race, Equity, and Policing Town Halls in
October 2020. The Department successfully provided Race, Equity,
and Policing Town Hall sessions October 26, 2020, which were well
received, and the FOP/Labor commended the USCP’s efforts to en-
gage sworn officers in a productive manner. The USCP vowed that
IDEA would be fully integrated throughout the USCP’s infrastruc-
ture and be a critical element in its Department Strategic Plan
2021–2025 and Human Capital Strategic Plan 2021–2025.
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
The USCP and FOP/Labor currently are operating under a CBA
last ratified on June 8, 2010. The Committee worked to improve
the trust between the USCP and FOP/Labor and strongly rec-
ommended the formal start of new CBA negotiations. On Sep-
tember 9, 2019, FOP/Labor notified the USCP and the Committee
that it had failed to reach an extension agreement concerning the
existing CBA and it had selected a new FOP/Labor CBA negotia-
tion team. On October 9, 2019, the USCP notified FOP/Labor and
the Committee that it too had selected a new USCP CBA negotia-
tion team.
On January 29, 2020, FOP/Labor informed the Committee it was
pleased with the CBA negotiations to date. FOP/Labor President
indicated the FOP/Labor CBA team reported the negotiations were
positive, productive, and professional. Non-disclosure agreements
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had been finalized and were signed by all participating USCP and
FOP/Labor teams as well as participating attorneys on February
19, 2020. The USCP noted the negotiations and discussions have
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been positive and productive. On February 24, 2020, Department
informed the Committee that there had been six formal meetings
to establish a new CBA.
As a result of the COVID–19 pandemic and increasing infection
numbers, on March 20, 2020, the USCP notified the FOP/Labor
and the Teamsters Union of its decision to suspend both CBAs due
to the COVID–19 pandemic. The USCP requested the FOP/Labor
CBA Negotiation Team continue with CBA negotiations; however,
FOP/Labor informed the USCP it could not continue CBA negotia-
tions in good faith with the entire CBA being suspended under the
exigent circumstances the USCP outlined. On March 23, 2020,
FOP/Labor issued a press release outlining its opposition to the
suspension of the entire CBA and its efforts to get the USCP to re-
consider the unprecedented suspension of the entire CBA. The CBA
remained suspended for April, May, and June of 2020. The USCP
reinstated minor article portions of the FOP/Labor Union CBA on
July 15, 2020. The USCP and followed with further reinstatement
of other articles on August 14, 2020. On September 17, 2020, Chief
Sund and the FOP/Labor and Teamsters Unions re-initiated bi-
weekly meetings. On October 6, 2020, FOP/Labor informed Com-
mittee it was notifying the Department it had reinstated the FOP/
Labor Committee CBA Team and was ready to restart formal CBA
negotiations.
Training and Development
On January 29, 2020, the Committee held a meeting with
USCP’s Chief Administrative Officer concerning training and devel-
opment programs for sworn and civilian personnel. The USCP—
CAO informed Committee staff that the USCP did not have any
regulations in place or mandatory training program for employees
which aided in their professional development. Further, the
USCP—CAO also advised that there was no established require-
ment or program for supervisors to complete advanced leadership
training prior to promotions. The Committee had previously rec-
ommended that the USCP—OIG review training issues. The Com-
mittee recognized the USCP had systemic leadership development
and training deficiencies as reported in the USCP—OIG report,
‘‘Assessment of the United States Capitol Police Leadership Train-
ing Program,’’ Report Number OIG–2020–07, dated March 2020.
The OIG assessed, ‘‘While it had a program providing new Ser-
geants and Lieutenants with leadership training, the [USCP] did
not offer formalized leadership refresher training to Supervisors.
The [USCP] also did not offer leadership training to develop future
potential leaders. Without appropriate supervisory and leadership
training, [USCP] leaders may have lacked the leadership skills nec-
essary to perform their jobs.’’
As a result of the Committee’s oversight, the USCP Strategic
Plan 2021–2025 identifies Goal 1—Invest in the USCP workforce.
The USCP identified five objectives to successfully attain Goal—1:
1.1 Deliver valuable human capital management services aligned
with the USCP’s mission and strategic goals; 1.2 Cultivate a di-
verse, inclusive culture of transparency, collaboration, and equity
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that leverages employees’ unique talent, skills, and perspectives;
1.3 Recruit and retain the workforce needed to meet the USCP’s
mission now and into the future; 1.4 Train and develop sworn and
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civilian personnel to ensure a ready, able and professional USCP
workforce; and 1.5 Enhance performance management practices to
support and sustain a high performing USCP workforce. The
USCP-approved reorganization in October 2019 placed a Deputy
Chief over the Training Division to ensure appropriate oversight,
guidance and creation of codified mandatory employee and leader-
ship basic/advanced training programs.
Reorganization
On August 21, 2019, Chief Sund forwarded a USCP reorganiza-
tion request letter to the Committee. The Chief requested the Com-
mittee’s approval to conduct a structural reorganization of USCP.
The reorganization would create new division level entities; Em-
ployee Wellness and Resiliency Division, Internal Controls and
Risk Management Division, Badging and Credentialing Division,
and the Employment and Suitability Division under the auspice of
the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The request also outlined
the renaming of the Protective Service Bureau/Intelligence Anal-
ysis Division to Intelligence and Interagency Coordination Division;
the renaming of the Operational Services Bureau/Patrol/Mobile Re-
sponse Division to Special Operations Division; and the renaming
of the Office of Human Resources/Human Capital Strategy, Re-
cruitment and Employment Division to Human Capital Strategy,
Staffing and Employment Division. The Capitol Police Board was
briefed regarding this request and endorsed the structural reorga-
nization proposal.
The reorganization would include the creation of a new Assistant
Chief of Police, Inspector, and Captain executive positions. The new
Assistant Chief of Police would oversee the Protective Services Bu-
reau (PSB), comprised of the Intelligence and Interagency Coordi-
nation Division (IICD), Dignitary Protection Division (DPD), and
the Investigations Division (ID). This position would also have re-
sponsibility over the Security Service Bureau (SSB), which man-
ages the Physical Security Division (PSD), and the Technical Coun-
termeasures Division (TCD). The Chief stated this reorganization
would provide better oversight of the IICD and DPD which has had
noted deficiencies outlined by the USCP OIG regarding a failure of
appropriate command oversight, a lack of professionalized intel-
ligence production/reviews, as well as integration of IICD and DPD
with other department bureaus and divisions.
A second Assistant Chief of Police would have responsibility over
Uniformed Operations, comprised of the largest contingent of sworn
USCP officers. The Assistant Chief of Police would also have re-
sponsibility over the Command and Coordination Bureau, Oper-
ational Services Bureau, and the Uniformed Services Bureau
(USB). The proposal requested the addition of a new Captain posi-
tion within the USB House Division to oversee the O’Neill House
Office Building and the implementation of pre-screening and House
Garage Security.
The USCP proposal requested the formation of the Employee
Wellness and Resiliency Division (EWRD) and the Internal Con-
trols and Risk Management Division (ICRMD) under the responsi-
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bility of the CAO. EWRD would address all manners of employee
physical, mental, and financial well-being while ICRMD will ad-
dress audits, reviews, policy directives working with the OIG. The
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Chief’s proposal requested the formation of two new divisions
under the guidance of the CAO within the Office of Background In-
vestigations and Credentialing (OBIC) would be the Badging and
Credentialing Division (BCD) and the Employment Suitability Divi-
sion (ESD).
The USCP proposal requested the addition of an Inspector posi-
tion to be assigned to the Office of the CAO to ‘‘allow for a regular
rotation within the core administrative element to learn and gain
an in-depth understanding of the administrative and support func-
tions . . . thereby preparing personnel at this rank for greater re-
sponsibilities and business acumen at the rank of Deputy Chief. On
October 17, 2019, the Committee approved the USCP reorganiza-
tional proposal.
COVID–19 Pandemic Response
The COVID–19 pandemic had an adverse effect upon USCP and
USCP–OIG operational activities including recruiting and training
programs from March 2020 through December 2020. The Com-
mittee worked with the USCP, to modify security and screening
procedures and other operations to ensure that the USCP could
continue to carry out its critical core mission to ‘‘Protect the Con-
gress—its Members, employees, visitors, and facilities—so it can
fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, se-
cure and open environment.’’
The Committee engaged all parties to ensure consistent commu-
nication concerning the modification of Capitol Complex security
and safety measures were provided to Members, employees, and
visitors. Since March 2020, the USCP issued over 100 Bulletins
and notices to its employees. The USCP initiated on-line support
services and working with the FOP/Labor took its safety suggestion
and initiated a nationwide best practice of providing hotel lodging
and meals for employees assigned for duty to prevent them from
exposing their families if they should have contracted COVID–19
during their shift. The USCP provided over 40,000 lunches to all
shifts as well as made available 1,100 hotel rooms to prevent
COVID–19 transmission to families. The USCP provided N–95
(limited) and personal protective equipment (PPE) to all employees.
Over 3,000 cloth masks and gloves were issued and all screening
posts in HOBs were fitted with plexiglass barriers for extra protec-
tion for sworn officers as well as extra PPE working in conjunction
with the Committee, HSAA, CAO, and AOC.
The USCP reported FLETC training facilities in Brunswick,
Georgia, and Cheltenham, Maryland, were closed, and training sus-
pended in March 2020. The USCP had Class 209 and Class 210
sent home from training in FLETC—Brunswick, Georgia and Class
208 from FLETC—Cheltenham, Maryland. FLETC restarted class-
es after mandatory 14-day quarantine of students recalled to com-
plete training on June 1, 2020. The USCP had 33 recruits affected
by the COVID–19 delay. The USCP–OIG reported two of its inves-
tigators’ training was extended for two weeks after FLETC—
Brunswick, Georgia shut down all activity in November 2020 due
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to a COVID–19 outbreak at the facility. The two USCP–OIG inves-
tigators will graduate in December 2020. The USCP–OIG was suc-
cessful in hiring investigators during FY 2020 and for the first time
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was fully staffed with 10 investigators increasing its capability to
address matters in a more efficient and effective manner.
On December 11, 2020 the USCP reported to the Committee its
90th employee COVID–19 infection, with 64 employees having re-
covered and returned to work. The USCP negotiated with OAP and
the District of Columbia to have priority testing available to em-
ployees exhibiting COVID–19 symptoms.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
The Committee serves as the primary legislative and oversight
body for the Smithsonian Institution, a quasi-federal institution of
19 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, numerous research
centers, and several education centers. Approximately two-thirds of
the Smithsonian’s funding is from federal appropriations.
The Smithsonian is overseen by a Board of Regents, which is
composed of the Chief Justice, Vice President, Members of the
House and Senate, and other private citizens known as ‘‘Citizen
Regents.’’ Citizen Regents are appointed to six-year terms by joint
resolution of Congress. During the 116th Congress, the Smithso-
nian Board of Regents nominated five individuals to serve as Cit-
izen Regents: John Fahey, Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey, Michael
Lynton, Denise O’Leary, and Franklin Raines. The Committee met
with the new nominees prior to their appointment. Mr. Fahey, Dr.
Lavizzo-Mourey, and Mr. Lynton were reappointed to the Board of
Regents via S.J. Res. 65, S.J. Res. 67 and H.J. Res. 87, respec-
tively. Ms. O’Leary and Mr. Raines were appointed to their first
term on the Board of Regents via S. J. Res. 66 and H. J. Res. 88,
respectively.
The Institution’s day-to-day operations are led by the Secretary
of the Smithsonian. The current Secretary, Lonnie G. Bunch III,
assumed his position on June 16, 2019. Secretary Bunch was pre-
viously the founding Director of the Smithsonian’s National Mu-
seum of African American History and Culture.
On September 18, 2019, the Committee held a hearing entitled,
‘‘Oversight of the Smithsonian Institution.’’ Witnesses at the hear-
ing included Secretary Bunch and Cathy L. Helm, the
Smithsonian’s Inspector General. The hearing provided an oppor-
tunity for the Committee to discuss Secretary Bunch’s vision, as
well as some of the issues and challenges facing the Institution.
Such issues and challenges included the renovation of the National
Air and Space Museum, a growing deferred maintenance backlog,
a lack of diversity, collections management, and information tech-
nology/security.
The Committee continues to work with the Smithsonian to ad-
dress the above referenced issues. For example, in response to the
deferred maintenance backlog, the Committee sent a bipartisan let-
ter to the Appropriations Committee requesting that the appropria-
tion for maintenance match industry standards and be available
until expended. The Committee is also working with the Smithso-
nian on solutions to collections management problems and its infor-
mation technology/security challenges.
The Committee focused extensively on increasing diversity with-
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in the Smithsonian during the 116th Congress. As will be described
herein, the Committee’s efforts culminated in the authorization of
two new museums honoring Latinos and women, respectively. As
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51
of this writing, authorizations for both museums have passed both
chambers of Congress and are awaiting the President’s signature.
On February 5, 2020, the Committee held a hearing entitled,
‘‘Oversight of the Smithsonian Institution: Opportunities for
Growth by Honoring Latino Americans and Asian Pacific Ameri-
cans.’’ The hearing centered on two bills, H.R. 2420, the National
Museum of the American Latino Act, which would authorize the
creation of the National Museum of the American Latino, and H.R.
4132, the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of National
Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act. This
bill would create a commission to study the feasibility of creating
a museum dedicated to Asian Pacific American History. Govern-
mental witnesses at the hearing included Reps. Jose Serrano and
Will Hurd, the two sponsors of H.R. 2420; Rep. Grace Meng, who
sponsored H.R. 4132, and Secretary Bunch. Additional witnesses
included Henry Munoz, Chair of the National Museum of the
American Latino Commission; Dr. Beth Lew-Williams, Associate
Professor of History at Princeton University; Lisa Sasaki, Director
of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center; and Dr. Eric
Petersen, a Specialist in American National Government at the
Congressional Research Service. The hearing included a construc-
tive conversation with the witnesses about the importance of diver-
sifying the Smithsonian and ways in which H.R. 2420 and H.R.
4132 could help achieve that goal. On July 27, 2020, the House
agreed to H.R. 2420 under suspension of the rules.
On December 21, 2020, both the House and Senate agreed to the
provisions of H.R. 2420 and incorporated the bill into H.R. 133, the
Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which was
signed by the President on December 27, 2020. This represents the
culmination of more than 15 years of efforts to make the National
Museum of the American Latino a reality.
In addition to the bill establishing the National Museum of the
American Latino, the Committee also shepherded H.R. 1980, the
Smithsonian Women’s History Museum Act, to passage on the
House Floor. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney, was
marked up by the Committee on November 12, 2020. The bill was
ordered favorably reported to the House by voice vote and, on Feb-
ruary 11, 2020, was agreed to by the House under suspension of
the rules. On December 21, 2020, the House and Senate agreed to
the provisions of the bill establishing a national women’s history
museum and included it in H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropria-
tions Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which was signed by the President
on December 27, 2020. When the authorization to create this mu-
seum is signed into law, it will be the result of more than 25 years
of efforts to establish this vitally important museum. Appro-
priately, this bill passed during the 100th anniversary of the ratifi-
cation of the 19th amendment, which granted women the constitu-
tional right to vote.
Finally, the Committee met regularly with the Smithsonian and
the Smithsonian Office of Inspector General to conduct oversight
and perform site visits. Topics discussed during these meetings in-
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cluded, for example, information security, new programming, collec-
tions management, deferred maintenance, the COVID–19 pandemic
and impacts to the Institution and Smithsonian Enterprises.
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52
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
The Committee met regularly with Library of Congress (Library)
management and the Library Office of Inspector General during
the 116th Congress to monitor and review operations, services and
planning initiatives. Areas of focus for the Committee included in-
formation technology (IT) modernization, Copyright Office mod-
ernization, reimagination of the Library visitor experience, the op-
erations of the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the Library’s
response to the COVID–19 pandemic, overseas offices, Con-
gress.gov, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Dis-
abled, and the Law Library.
Information Technology
As technology has advanced and the needs of Library patrons
have changed, the Library has increased its reliance on IT. In
2015, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed IT
management at the Library and produced a report with wide-rang-
ing recommendations to improve IT. In response, and with over-
sight from the Committee, the Library has undertaken an IT mod-
ernization effort that has continued into the 116th Congress. This
modernization effort includes an overhaul of records storage, utili-
zation of both the cloud and a new data center, a more stabilized
core IT structure, improved IT governance and a more centralized
and professionalized IT workforce.
The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) aligned the
Library’s IT governance with the new centralized structure. To en-
sure the Library’s IT efforts worked in concert with its strategic
plan, OCIO implemented a FY 2019–2023 directional plan in May
2019. Efforts under this directional plan include a transition to a
new data center and enterprise cloud environment, and implemen-
tation of multifactor authentication for all Library users.
In addition, OCIO worked closely with the various Library busi-
ness units on IT modernization. Modernization of the U.S. Copy-
right Office, including IT modernization, will be discussed in great-
er detail below.
Moreover, the Library has experienced record web traffic on its
various websites, including Congress.gov and Copyright.gov. This is
attributed, in part, to the COVID–19 pandemic. Additionally, the
Library created new streams of programming, including the Li-
brary Engage and Families blog, to provide content to users im-
pacted by the pandemic and the Library’s on-site closure. Program-
ming traditionally held in person, such as the National Book Fes-
tival, was successfully transitioned to fully virtual events. In all, in
FY 2020, total Library page views were up 56 percent, total visits
were up 46 percent, and mobile visits were up 83 percent. Included
in this data is traffic to Library of Congress educational websites.
The Committee worked with the Library to provide educational
websites to Members during the COVID–19 pandemic. Members
then sent this information to parents and teachers within their dis-
tricts.
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Visitor Experience and Thomas Jefferson Building Renovations
The Committee provided oversight of renovations to the Thomas
Jefferson Building, made as part of the effort to enhance the visitor
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53
experience. This project includes the creation of a new youth cen-
ter, improvement to exhibit infrastructure through the creation of
a treasures’ gallery, and the means to provide more collection-
based civics and history education to visitors. The youth center will
be made up of ‘‘learning labs’’’ that will let young people interact
with the Library’s collections. In addition, the Library is con-
structing a new orientation space where visitors will be able to look
up through an oculus to view the main reading room. The project
is funded through a public-private partnership that provides $40
million in appropriated funds and $20 million in matching private
funds raised by the Library.
The Committee continues to provide oversight over the various
elements of the project, including the treasures gallery, scheduled
to open to the public in December 2022, the youth center, sched-
uled to open to the public in December 2023, and the orientation
gallery. Conceptual design directions for the orientation gallery are
expected in early 2021.
United States Copyright Office
As part of the Library’s broader modernization efforts, the
United States Copyright Office (USCO) is in the process of imple-
menting an office-wide initiative to build a new enterprise copy-
right IT system with a user-centered, flexible design. The new
copyright system is intended to streamline processes and policies
and improve access. It includes, among other projects, reimagined
registration and recordation systems, as well as an improved appli-
cation process. The Committee has focused a significant portion of
its oversight efforts with respect to the Library on USCO mod-
ernization.
The new Enterprise Copyright System (ECS) will include the
UCO registration, recordation, public records, and licensing IT ap-
plications. A copyright public records application pilot is now avail-
able inside the USCO and will be launching to the public later in
December 2020. A copyright recordation application pilot was
launched in April 2020. New features will continue to be added
through the end of FY2024. A new web-based application for reg-
istration is in development. Foundational design was completed in
April 2020. The full registration application development process
began soon thereafter and will run through the end of FY2024. De-
velopment of a licensing application began in FY2020. The applica-
tion has a dedicated user experience design and initial automated
workflow. Development efforts will accelerate through FY2021. Fi-
nally, an updated user experience and platform is in development.
The goal is to ensure the ECS is easy to operate. This project began
in September 2020 and will continue through September 2021.
The above referenced work is now taking place under a new Reg-
ister of Copyrights. Shira Perlmutter, who previously served as
Chief Policy Officer and Director for International Affairs at the
United States Patent and Trademark Office, assumed this role on
October 26, 2020.
Congressional Research Service
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On June 20, 2019, the Committee held a hearing entitled, ‘‘Over-
sight of the Congressional Research Service.’’ CRS provides non-
partisan, confidential research and analysis on a wide range of
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54
issues for Members of Congress and staff. The primary focuses of
the CRS hearing were the identification of both challenges facing
the agency and solutions therefor. The Committee heard testimony
from the Director of CRS, Mary Mazenac, and President of the
Congressional Research Employees Association, Dr. Susan Thaul.
The main challenges identified at the hearing pertained to the CRS
workforce. The CRS workforce has been declining steadily since
2010, with the service experiencing an overall attrition rate of ap-
proximately 10 percent. In addition, lack of diversity and declining
morale were also identified as issues by CRS employees. The Com-
mittee continues to work with CRS to address these issues and has
held numerous follow-up meetings with CRS and other stake-
holders within the Congressional community.
OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL WORKPLACE RIGHTS
The beginning of the 116th Congress marked the start of a num-
ber of reforms to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights
(OCWR), formerly named the Office of Compliance. The end of the
115th Congress saw the enactment of the Congressional Account-
ability Act Reform Act (CAARA) the first major update to the 1995
Congressional Accountability Act (CAA), which first applied 13
workplace and accessibility laws to Congress and created the Office
of Compliance to administer and enforce the CAA.15
The Committee worked on a bipartisan and bicameral basis to
provide guidance to OCWR on implementing several key reforms
by their statutory deadlines.
Treasury Repayment Reporting
Among other key reforms, CAARA mandated that Members of
Congress be held personally liable for their acts of harassment and
retaliation; and that the Committee would be responsible for estab-
lishing a timetable and procedures for withholding amounts from
the compensation of a Member who is required to reimburse any
portion of an award or settlement under the Congressional Ac-
countability Act (CAA); and that the Committee issue rules estab-
lishing the content, format, and other requirements for an annual
public report that the OCWR is required to make to Congress and
the public about payments made for settlements and awards under
the CAA.
The Committee worked with OCWR and other stakeholders to es-
tablish the new requirements in accordance with these reforms, re-
sulting in the successful publication of semiannual reports in both
the first and second sessions of this Congress.
Despite the absence of a mandate in the CAARA to hold Mem-
bers equally liable for their personal acts of discrimination and re-
taliation, the Committee worked with the Committee on Rules to
establish in the 116th Congress for the first time that Members
will be held to the same repayment standard for acts of discrimina-
tion as they are for harassment or retaliation.
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15 P.L. 115–397, 132 Stat. 5297.
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55
Online Employee Claims System
Another key reform required OCWR to develop an online system
for legislative branch employees to file a claim regarding allega-
tions of prohibited workplace misconduct.
Staff from the Committee and the Senate Committee on Rules
and Administration met with OCWR staff individually and jointly
in advance of the statutory deadline to ensure OCWR would meet
the various requirements set forth by the reform act. The Commit-
tees convened a bicameral, bipartisan meeting with staff from
OCWR and the LOC to discuss the online filing system. The system
was launched as the Secure Online Claims Reporting and Tracking
E-Filing System (SOCRATES).
The Committee continued its oversight responsibilities through
the COVID–19 pandemic monitoring the potential impact to em-
ployees on the claims process. All claims, hearings and mediations
continued to be processed in accordance with statutory deadlines.
Nine claims were filled during the pandemic via SOCRATES and
two administrative hearings were conducted remotely via Webex.
Permanent Posting of Workplace Rights Information
The CAARA added a requirement for all employing offices to
erect permeant postings in a conspicuous location of employee’s
workplace rights, along with information about the alternative dis-
pute resolution process. The Committee worked to establish rules
and a timeline for House employing offices to comply with this
change.16
Additionally, the committee worked with OCWR to ensure the
House community was made aware of the free dissemination of
workplace posters and where and how to obtain any additional
posters in order to be compliant with the new law and regulations.
These notices will help to ensure that new and current employees
are informed of their rights.
Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy for House Offices
While not included in the CAARA, the Committee acted to fur-
ther strengthen workplace rights by establishing an anti-discrimi-
nation and anti-harassment policy by working with the Committee
on Rules to include in the House Rules package for the 116th Con-
gress a requirement that all employing House offices have a writ-
ten anti-discrimination, anti-harassment policy, to be provided to
employees. Employees include interns, paid and unpaid, and fel-
lows. The Committee worked to establish and pass guidelines to es-
tablish a minimum set of standards for the policy and worked with
other stakeholders to provide a model policy or guide for offices to
build their policy language around.
Climate Survey
Section 202 of the CAARA provided for a first-ever legislative
branch-wide workplace climate survey. House and Senate oversight
committees worked in a bipartisan and bicameral way to develop
methodologies for a comprehensive climate survey. From the Com-
mittee’s work with other oversight committees in overseeing and
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giving feedback, the creation of a comprehensive survey with em-
16 Committee Resolution 116–7.
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phasis on the respondents’ attitudes towards harassment and dis-
crimination was launched.
Due to the unforeseen circumstances of the COVID–19 pandemic
and holiday launch of the first survey, all the surveys had to be ex-
tended and the last surveys of the legislative branch will be con-
cluded by the end of the year.
Mandatory Workplace Rights Education Training
As a result of an OCWR 102(b) recommendation, the Committee
constructed and passed a resolution establishing a mandatory anti-
harassment and anti-discrimination training program that would
be required to be taken annually by every employee and Member.17
The program is now in its third year and has trained over 14,000
employees each year.
The Committee worked to establish training guidelines and regu-
lations to govern both sessions of Congress, however the committee
had to quickly pivot during the early stages of the coronavirus pan-
demic.
During the COVID–19 pandemic, the Committee closely mon-
itored and regularly consulted with the OAP, House Officers, and
others about impacts on the House community. As a result, the
Committee cancelled all live-in person training classes and resched-
uled live interactive webinars which counted as completing the
mandatory training requirement for the rest of the 2020 year.
OFFICE OF THE WHISTLEBLOWER OMBUDSMAN
Established during the 116th Congress by Section 104(e) of H.
Res. 6 (116th Congress), the Office of the Whistleblower Ombuds-
man (Office) is charged with promulgating best practices for Con-
gressional offices to receive whistleblower disclosures and providing
training and resources to equip offices to effectively administer all
stages of whistleblower claims, from initial disclosures to an ulti-
mate disposition.
After an extensive public search and interview process conducted
by the bipartisan staffs of the Committee, Shanna Devine was ap-
pointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi as the inaugural director of the
Office. In July 2020, the Committee issued hiring regulations es-
tablishing the internal structure of the office and authorizing the
Director to hire personnel.18
The Office responds to individual Member and Committee office
requests for trainings and other resources and regularly conducts
virtual trainings through the Congressional Staff Academy. To
date, the Office has conducted nearly 100 such sessions.
FEDERAL ELECTIONS
Overview
From the opening days of the 116th Congress, the Committee
swiftly reasserted its historic role in conducting oversight of federal
elections, election administration, the integrity of U.S. elections,
and ensuring access to the franchise for all Americans. In contrast
to the 115th Congress, where the Committee held one hearing on
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17 This recommendation can be found in numerous 102(b) annual reports, but most recently
for the 116th, 115th and 114th Congresses.
18 Committee Resolution 116–22, 116th Congress, adopted July 30, 2020.
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elections, in the 116th Congress the Committee held five full Com-
mittee hearings on elections. These hearings included examining
critical democracy reforms, securing America’s election systems,
oversight of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the first
hearing calling all three major election systems vendors before
Congress together, and voting safely during the COVID–19 pan-
demic.
The Committee reported out, and shepherded through House
passage, three major pieces of elections legislation: H.R. 1, the For
the People Act of 2019; H.R. 2722, the Securing America’s Federal
Elections Act; and H.R. 4617, the Stopping Harmful Interference in
Elections for a Lasting Democracy Act. These bills addressed crit-
ical election issues such as equitable access to American democ-
racy, strengthening election infrastructure, and combatting foreign
interference in American elections.
The Committee conducted oversight over the two federal agencies
under its purview, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the
EAC, examined how Americans could vote safely during the
COVID–19 pandemic, extensively revamped the Committee’s con-
tested elections program, and sent observers to more than 20 Con-
gressional races during the 2020 general election.
One of the first actions taken by the Committee at the start of
the 116th Congress was the reconstitution of the Committee’s Sub-
committee on Elections. The Subcommittee on Elections conducted
extensive oversight of federal elections administration and access
to the franchise, taking Congress to the American people by con-
vening an inaugural listening session and seven field hearings, as
well as five additional hearings during the 116th Congress.
The Committee also responded to the once-in-a-generation chal-
lenges of voting during a global pandemic by holding hearings on
the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on voting, voting safely dur-
ing a pandemic, and preparing legislation to protect voters, support
state and local election administrators, and secure our elections.
Legislation
The Committee reported out, and the House passed, three major
pieces of election reform legislation in the 116th Congress. H.R. 1,
the ‘‘For the People Act of 2019,’’ is the most ambitious pro-democ-
racy reform package and most significant overhaul of the American
election system in modern history, expanding access to the fran-
chise for all Americans, removing dark money from politics, and
strengthening ethics in government. H.R. 2722, the ‘‘Securing
America’s Federal Elections (SAFE) Act,’’ would provide critical re-
sources to states and localities to bolster election infrastructure
while ensuring necessary funding to replace aging voting equip-
ment with voter-verified paper ballot systems and implementing
additional cybersecurity protocols. Finally, H.R. 4617, the ‘‘Stop-
ping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy
(SHIELD) Act,’’ is comprehensive legislation that strengthens the
resilience of our democracy and protects against foreign inter-
ference in elections, including by foreign governments.
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H.R. 1—For the People Act of 2019
H.R. 1, the ‘‘For the People Act of 2019’’ was introduced by Rep.
John P. Sarbanes of Maryland on January 3, 2019. It represents
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58
the culmination of years of legislative work, containing provisions
introduced over the years by many Members of Congress. H.R. 1
addresses the democratic promise—the advancement of a respon-
sive, fully representative government.
The Federalist No. 57 states:
Who are to be the electors of the federal representatives?
Not the rich, more than the poor; not the learned, more
than the ignorant; not the haughty heirs of distinguished
names, more than the humble sons of obscurity and
unpropitious fortune. The electors are to be the great body
of the people of the United States.19
It is the promise of American democracy that the people choose
their representatives, not the other way around. H.R. 1 would help
fulfill that promise.
For far too long, many Americans have chosen not to participate
in the electoral process, feeling shut out and as though their vote
does not matter or does not make a difference. Though this was the
highest turnout in 50 years, only about half of the voting-eligible
population voted in the 2018 midterm elections.20 H.R. 1 would im-
plement nationwide automatic voter registration to enfranchise 50
million eligible citizens, provide for same day voter registration,
and online voter registration. It would also prohibit deceptive prac-
tices, increases access to the polls for voters with disabilities, pro-
vide grants to states to replace outdated voting infrastructure, and
require the disclosure of dark money donors—not limiting their
speech but simply asking them to stand by it. H.R. 1 incorporates
key provisions of the late Rep. John Lewis of Georgia’s H.R. 1275,
the ‘‘Voter Empowerment Act,’’ and dismantles systemic, discrimi-
natory barriers to voting by ending the indiscriminate purging of
eligible voters from the rolls, restores voting rights to individuals
with felony convictions after they have completed their prison sen-
tences, and expands access to absentee and early voting.
Prior to the passage of H.R. 1, on February 14, 2019, the Com-
mittee held a two-panel, full Committee hearing, entitled ‘‘For the
People: Our American Democracy.’’ Expert witnesses testified to
the policies included in H.R. 1, while others testified to their per-
sonal experiences trying to navigate the democratic process. Wit-
nesses included Chiraag Baines, Director of Legal Strategies,
Demos; Peter Earle, Wisconsin Civil Rights Trial Lawyer; Brandon
A. Jessup, Data Science and Information Systems Professional; Ex-
ecutive Director, Michigan Forward; Alejandro Rangel-Lopez, Sen-
ior at Dodge City High School, Dodge City, Kansas and plaintiff in
LULAC & Rangel-Lopez v. Cox; Wendy Weiser, Director, Democ-
racy Program, Brennan Center for Justice; Fred Wertheimer, Presi-
dent, Democracy 21; David Keating, President, Institute for Free
Speech; and Kim Wyman, Secretary of State, Washington.
19 Federalist No. 57, in The Federalist Papers, available at https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-pa-
pers/text-51-60#s-lg-box-wrapper-25493433. A series of 85 essays written by Alexander Ham-
ilton, James Madison, and John Jay, appeared anonymously in New York newspapers under the
pen name ‘‘Publius.’’ Federalist No. 57 is considered to be the work of either Alexander Ham-
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ilton or James Madison.
20 Camila Domonoske, ‘‘A Boatload of Ballots: Midterm Voter Turnout Hit 50-Year High,’’ NPR
(Nov. 8, 2018), available at https://www.npr.org/2018/11/08/665197690/a-boatload-of-ballots-mid-
term-voterturnout-hit-50-year-high.
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H.R. 1 was marked-up by the Committee on February 26, 2019,
and ordered reported favorably. When H.R. 1 was considered on
the House floor, more than 50 amendments were offered by more
than 40 Representatives. H.R. 1 passed the House on March 8,
2019, by a vote of 234 to 193.21
H.R. 2722, Securing America’s Federal Elections (SAFE) Act
The legitimacy of our representative system of self-government
rests on every eligible voter casting a ballot with the confidence
that it will count. Aging equipment, under-resourced jurisdictions,
and interference by foreign entities or non-state actors leave the
system vulnerable to exploitation that undermines confidence in
our election outcomes. Following Russian interference in the 2016
election, Congress did not do nearly enough to tackle these prob-
lems. The risks posed by the previously exploited vulnerabilities re-
mained. Despite the overwhelming evidence of these
vulnerabilities, the White House failed to direct resources toward
securing the nation’s election infrastructure.
In 2016, Russian hackers targeted state voting systems, and
sought to infiltrate voter registration databases and the networks
of election technology vendors. This attack exposed the numerous
vulnerabilities in our nation’s election infrastructure. Many states
had not kept pace with changing voting technology. At the time of
the SAFE Act, in at least 40 states, elections were carried out
using voting machines that were purchased more than a decade
ago.22 The Mueller Report largely confirmed what was already
known about Russian interference in the 2016 election; however, it
did reveal that a Florida county had been breached by hackers.
Several Trump administration officials, and one former official,
made public comments emphasizing the seriousness of the threat
and urgent need for action. Experts were unequivocal in their as-
sessment that foreign interference would continue in the lead up
to the 2020 election.
To address these issues, Chairperson Lofgren introduced H.R.
2722, the Securing America’s Federal Elections (SAFE) Act on May
14, 2019. The SAFE Act provides critical resources to states and lo-
calities to bolster election infrastructure, helps states plan for the
future by providing ongoing maintenance funding on a biannual
basis, provides grant programs for states to implement required
risk-limiting audits, institutes accountability for election technology
vendors so that they abide by cybersecurity standards, and spurs
innovation by awarding grants for research and development that
will improve the accessibility of election infrastructure.
Prior to marking-up the SAFE Act, the Committee held a hear-
ing on election security on May 8, 2019. The Committee heard tes-
timony from witnesses Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, Michi-
gan; Joseph L. Hall, Chief Technologist and Director, Center for
Democracy and Technology; Lawrence Norden, Deputy Director,
Democracy Program, Brennan Center for Justice; Marian Schnei-
21 U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk, Roll Call 118, Bill Number: H.R. 1, 116th
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Congress, 1st Session, available at https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2019118.
22 BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE, NEW ANALYSIS SHOWS VOTING MACHINES REMAIN VULNER-
ABLE AHEAD OF 2020 ELECTIONS, (Mar. 5, 2019), available at https://www.brennancenter.org/
press-release/new-analysisshows-voting-machines-remain-vulnerable-ahead-2020-election.
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der, President, Verified Voting Foundation; and John Merrill, Sec-
retary of State, Alabama.
The SAFE Act was marked-up by the Committee on June 21,
2019 and ordered reported favorably. It passed the House on June
27, 2019 by a vote of 225 to 184.
H.R. 4617, Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a
Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act
During the 2016 and 2018 elections, Russian state actors at-
tempted to influence our elections. Special Counsel Robert Mueller
concluded in his March 2019 report on the investigation into Rus-
sian election interference that the ‘‘Russian government interfered
in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fash-
ion.’’ 23 The attempts to interfere did not stop in 2016. Special
Counsel Mueller testified before Congress in 2019 that ‘‘[t]hey’re
doing it as we sit here.’’ 24 The ease with which foreign entities
interfered in the 2016 presidential election emboldens future adver-
saries to interfere in elections to come. In 2019, then-Director of
National Intelligence Dan R. Coats issued a stern warning about
likely foreign interference in the upcoming 2020 elections: ‘‘Our ad-
versaries and strategic competitors probably already are looking to
the 2020 US elections as an opportunity to advance their inter-
ests.’’ 25 Additionally, these views were shared by FBI Director
Christopher Wray. In July 2019 he testified in a Senate Judiciary
Committee hearing that ‘‘[t]he Russians are absolutely intent on
trying to interfere with our elections.’’ 26
H.R. 4617, the SHIELD Act is a comprehensive piece of legisla-
tion that strengthens the resilience of our democracy and protects
against foreign interference in elections, including interference by
foreign governments. The bill requires political committees to re-
port foreign contacts that involve offers of unlawful campaign as-
sistance to the FBI and FEC. It also modernizes campaign finance
law to uphold Americans’ right to know who is behind election-re-
lated advertising and disinformation, including better disclosure of
the sources of online political advertisements. Additionally, the bill
closes gaps in the law that foreign nationals (including foreign gov-
ernments) can exploit to influence elections.
The Committee marked-up the SHIELD Act on October 16, 2019,
and ordered the bill reported favorably. The House passed the
SHIELD Act on October 23, 2019, by a vote of 227 to 181.
Additional Legislative Activities
On October 29, 2019, Chairperson Lofgren managed the Floor de-
bate for H.R. 1623, the ‘‘Help America Run Act (HARA),’’ a bill in-
troduced by Rep. Katie Porter of California and referred to the
23 Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller, III, Report on the Investigation Into Russian Interference
in the 2016 Presidential Election, Volume I, pg. 1, available at https://www.justice.gov/storage/
report.pdf.
24 Transcript of the Hearing: ‘‘Former Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III on the Investiga-
tion Into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election,’’ July 24, 2019, U.S. House of
Representatives, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, at p. 66.
25 Daniel R. Coats, Statement for the Record: Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intel-
ligence Community, Jan. 29, 2019, pg. 7, available at https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/
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2019-ATASFR---SSCI.pdf.
26 Doina Chiacu, REUTERS, ‘‘FBI Director Wray: Russia Intent on Interfering with U.S. Elec-
tions,’’ July 23, 2019, available at https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-security/fbi-di-
rector-wray-russia-intenton-interfering-with-us-elections-idUSKCN1UI1XW.
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Committee. H.R. 1623 was considered under suspension of the
rules agreed to by the House on October 29, 2019. HARA removes
barriers to running for office by allowing for certain personal use
services to be considered as campaign committee expenditures, in-
cluding childcare, elder care, and health insurance if the services
are necessary to enable the candidate to participate in campaign-
connected activities. This would only apply to candidates for federal
office who are not current federal office holders.
The Committee also discharged consideration of H.R. 4990, the
Election Technology Research Act of 2020, a bill introduced by Rep.
Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, which directs the National Institute
of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Founda-
tion (NSF), and other agencies to support research on voting sys-
tems. H.R. 4990 was considered under suspension of the rules and
passed on the House Floor on September 16, 2020.
Additionally, the Committee worked with the House Armed Serv-
ices Committee to include two voting-related provisions in H.R.
6395, the ‘‘National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
(NDAA).’’ One provision, offered by Rep. Susan Davis of California,
would require the chief state election official, in coordination with
local election jurisdictions, to establish and operate an absentee
ballot tracking program. The second, offered by Rep. Michael Tur-
ner of Ohio, Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, and Committee Ranking
Member Rodney Davis of Illinois, would require the Secretary of
Defense to take actions necessary to ensure that an absent uni-
formed services voter who is absent from the United States by rea-
son of active duty or service at a diplomatic and consular post is
able to receive and transmit balloting materials in the same man-
ner and with the same rights and protections as a uniformed serv-
ices voter absent by reason of active duty or service at a military
installation.
Hearings
The Committee held a number of other hearings. On May 21,
2019, the Committee held an oversight hearing with the Commis-
sioners from the EAC. Commissioners Benjamin Hovland, Thomas
Hicks, Christy McCormick, and Donald Palmer testified before the
Committee. The EAC was created by the Help America Vote Act
(HAVA) of 2002 27 to administer the newly created grant program,
to develop guidance to assist states in meeting HAVA require-
ments, and to serve as a national clearinghouse of information on
election administration. In addition, the EAC tests and certifies
voting machines, provides guidance on managing election tech-
nology, and works with state and local officials to assist them in
preparing for elections.
For the first time in several years, the Committee sought to
strengthen, and not shutter, the EAC. With a full slate of EAC
commissioners in place, the Committee focused on oversight, ad-
dressing personnel and morale issues at the agency, working to en-
sure the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) updates were
back on track, and addressing resourcing issues.
On January 9, 2020, the Committee held a hearing titled ‘‘2020
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Election Security—Perspectives from Voting Vendors and Experts,’’
27 P.L. 107–252, 116 Stat. 1666.
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in which the heads of each of the three major election machine ven-
dors appeared before Congress for the first time together. Wit-
nesses included Tom Burt, President and CEO, Election Systems &
Software; Julie Mathis, President and CEO, Hart InterCivic; and
John Poulos, President and CEO, Dominion Voting Systems. The
vendors called to appear for this hearing, Election Systems & Soft-
ware (ES&S), Dominion, and Hart InterCivic, sell more than 80
percent of the voting systems in use today.28 While the EAC pro-
duces the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG), the ven-
dors themselves are free from federal oversight.
During questioning at the hearing, all three vendor CEOs ex-
pressed support for federal regulations requiring vendors to dis-
close ownership and foreign investment. The CEOs expressed sup-
port regarding requirements to disclose company cybersecurity
practices, cyberattacks experienced by the companies, background
checks done on employees, foreign investments in the companies,
and information on the supply chain involved in building the voting
equipment.
In addition to the CEOs, the Committee heard testimony from
Matt Blaze, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center;
Juan Gilbert, Andrew Banks Family Preeminence Endowed Pro-
fessor and Chair, University of Florida; Liz Howard, Counsel, Bren-
nan Center for Justice; Rev. T. Anthony Spearman, President,
North Carolina NAACP; Donald Palmer, Commissioner, Election
Assistance Commission; and Mike Gianasi, County Clerk and Re-
corder, Christian County of Illinois.
Additional Oversight
The Committee sent several oversight letters to federal agencies,
election administrators, and election equipment vendors. The Com-
mittee sent three oversight letters to the Election Assistance Com-
mission, two oversight letters to election machine vendors, and
three oversight letters to the Federal Election Commission.
The Committee sent an oversight letter to the EAC in April
2019, inquiring about past agency activities and plans for future
activity. In June 2019, the Committee sent another letter express-
ing ongoing concerns about the management of the EAC under
then-Executive Director Brian Newby. Additionally, in November
2019, the Committee sent a letter to the EAC with a series of ques-
tions about the security and testing requirements for voting ma-
chines. The Committee has also conducted quarterly, bipartisan
oversight meetings with majority and minority committee staff, the
EAC Commissioners, and agency senior staff.
Prior to the election machine vendors hearing, the Committee
sent an oversight letter in July 2019 to ES&S and Hart InterCivic
inquiring about the use of Microsoft Windows 7 on their voting ma-
chines following reports that Windows 7 would not be supported by
Microsoft after January 14, 2020. Additionally, the Committee sent
a letter to each of the three vendors in September 2019 requesting
information regarding the security and testing requirements for
their voting machines.
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28 Kim Zetter, N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE, The Crisis of Election Security: As the midterms ap-
proach, America’s electronic voting systems are more vulnerable than ever. Why isn’t anyone try-
ing to fix them?, (Sept. 26, 2018), available at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/26/magazine/
election-security-crisis-midterms.html.
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The Committee sent an oversight letter to the FEC in April 2019
posing more than 45 questions to the agency regarding its oper-
ating posture, key vacancies at the agency, challenges, and enforce-
ment actions, among others. The Committee sent a second letter in
December 2019 comprised of more than 30 additional questions,
building upon the earlier set contained in the April letter. Finally,
the Committee sent a third oversight letter in June 2020 asking a
series of questions about how the pandemic impacted the Commis-
sion and the Commission’s unresolved enforcement caseload,
among others.
Subcommittee on Elections
During the 116th Congress, Rep. Marcia L. Fudge of Ohio
chaired the Subcommittee on Elections. From the outset, the Sub-
committee’s goal was to take Congress to the American people, en-
gage with voters, stakeholders, advocates officials, and election ad-
ministrators, and collect evidence and testimony on the state of
voting rights and election administration across America. The Sub-
committee on Elections held one listening session and 12 hearings,
including eight field hearings.
The Subcommittee conducted a listening session in Brownsville,
Texas, and field hearings in Atlanta, Georgia; Fort Yates, North
Dakota; Weldon, North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida; Birmingham, Alabama; and Phoenix, Arizona. Following
the field hearings, the Subcommittee held a summary hearing in
Washington, D.C. The testimony and documents gathered during
the series culminated in the report written by Subcommittee staff,
Voting Rights and Election Administration in the United States of
America.29 The report summarized the findings of the Subcommit-
tee’s series of field hearings under the title Voting Rights and Elec-
tion Administration, and was included in the committee report ac-
companying H.R. 4, the ‘‘Voting Rights Advancement Act of
2019.’’ 30
The Subcommittee also held hearings on Native American voting
rights, the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on voting, voting in
the U.S. territories, and combatting misinformation and
disinformation in the 2020 general election.
Subcommittee Field Hearings
From the outset, the Subcommittee examined the landscape of
voting in America after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in
Shelby County v. Holder 31 to determine whether Americans can
freely cast their ballot, examine what barriers, if any, have been
erected that impede access, and ensure American’s believe their
ballot is counted as cast. The Subcommittee heard from voting and
election advocates, experts, community leaders, litigators, and vot-
ers about the state of voting rights and election administration in
29 Comm. on House Admin., Subcomm. on Elections, staff print, Voting Rights and Election
Administration in the United States of America, 116th Cong., 1st Sess. (2019), available at
https://cha.house.gov/sites/democrats.cha.house.gov/files/documents/
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Voting%20Rights%20and%20Election%20Administration%20in%20America.pdf.
30 Supra note 2, Comm. on Judiciary, Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019, 109–251, H.
Rept. 116–317, 116th Cong. (2019).
31 570 U.S. 529 (2013).
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their communities with the goal of documenting any barriers and
shedding light on them through the Subcommittee’s final report.
The Subcommittee learned that pernicious voting changes have
been implemented in states both previously covered under the Vot-
ing Rights Act (VRA) and those that were not.
During the field hearing series, the Subcommittee visited eight
states, called more than 60 witnesses, gathered several thousand
pages of testimony, documents, and transcripts, and hours of oral
testimony were delivered before Members of the Subcommittee.
While the evidence collected by the Subcommittee shows many leg-
acy voter suppression tactics are still pervasive, a new wave of sur-
reptitious tactics has also emerged. To suppress the vote, states
have aggressively purged otherwise eligible voters from the voter
registration rolls, made cuts to early voting and same-day voter
registration, moved, closed, or consolidated polling places without
adequate notice to voters, required exact name or signature match,
engaged in discriminatory gerrymandering, and restricted language
access and assistance, among other devices.
General election administration issues also serve as barriers to
voting, especially when compounded with other suppressive, dis-
criminatory tactics. The Subcommittee heard testimony on a lack
of compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), in-
consistent poll worker training and a lack of adequate resources,
use of provisional ballots, attempts to require proof of citizenship,
the continued disenfranchisement of Americans with prior felony
convictions, the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation
by foreign and domestic actors, and the increasing frequency and
intensity of natural disasters that impact voting.
In the inaugural listening session in Brownsville, Texas, the
Committee heard from litigators and civil rights advocates Rolando
Rios, Esq.; George Korbel, Esq.; Matthew McCarthy, ACLU of
Texas; Chad Dunn, Esq.; and Mimi Marziani, President, Texas
Civil Rights Project. The Subcommittee heard testimony detailing
the barriers to voting in Texas, including how voter IDs are finan-
cially burdensome, disproportionally impact minority voters, and
effectively impose a poll tax. Witnesses testified about the ongoing
racial discrimination in voting in Texas, issues such as voter roll
purges, returns to at-large elections, bans on straight ticket voting,
legal impediments to voter registration and non-compliance with
motor voter laws, polling place closures and location changes, voter
intimidation, and a lack of multilingual materials, among other
issues.
At the hearing in Atlanta, Georgia, the Subcommittee received
testimony from Stacey Abrams, CEO and Founder, Fair Fight Ac-
tion; Cliff Albright, Co-Founder, Black Voters Matter; Gilda Dan-
iels, Director of Litigation, Advancement Project; Stacey Hopkins,
Voter, Fulton County, Georgia; and Sean Young, Legal Director,
ACLU of Georgia. Witnesses testified to a wide array of barriers
faced by the voters of Georgia such as voter ID requirements, poll-
ing place closures and changes, impediments to third-party voter
registration, vulnerable and inadequate voting equipment, dis-
parate treatment based on the county voters live in, voter purges,
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issues with provisional and absentee ballots, signature match re-
quirements, voter intimidation, discriminatory redistricting, early
voting cutbacks, and a lack of language access and assistance.
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In North Dakota, the Subcommittee held a hearing focused spe-
cifically on issued faced by Native American voters. The hearing
was held on the Standing Rock Reservation and featured witnesses
from four of the five tribes of North Dakota, including Charles
Walker, Judicial Committee Chairman, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe;
Roger White Owl, Chief Executive Officer, Mandan, Hidatsa and
Arikara Nation; Myra Pearson, Chairwoman, Spirit Lake Tribe;
Alysia LaCounte, General Counsel, Turtle Mountain Band of Chip-
pewa Indians. The Subcommittee heard testimony about how Na-
tive American communities have faced more than two hundred
years of discrimination, disenfranchisement, and voter suppression,
which continues to this day and is exacerbated when tribes are not
consulted when states and the federal government craft voting
laws. The tribal leaders testified specifically about North Dakota’s
voter ID law, which forced their members to obtain ID cards they
would never have otherwise needed, or face being stripped of their
right to vote, and the lengths the tribes went to ensure their mem-
bers could vote in the 2018 election.
Additionally, the Subcommittee received testimony from Ruth
Buffalo, Member, North Dakota House of Representatives; Jac-
queline De León, Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund;
and Prairie Rose Seminole, Community Organizer, each of whom
testified to the barriers faced by tribal members in North Dakota
when attempting to exercise their right to vote. Additionally, O.J.
Semans, Sr., Co-Executive Director, Four Directions, Inc. provided
testimony on the barriers to voting for tribal members in South Da-
kota.
In North Carolina, the Subcommittee heard testimony from Rev.
Dr. William Barber II, President and Senior Lecturer, Repairers of
the Breach; Dan Blue, Minority Leader, North Carolina Senate; Ir-
ving L. Joyner, Professor of Law, North Carolina Central Univer-
sity School of Law; Tomas Lopez, Executive Director, Democracy
North Carolina; Caitlin Swain, Co-Director, Forward Justice; and
Patricia Timmons-Goodson, Vice-Chair, U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights, about the significant barriers faced by voters in North
Carolina. Less than two months after the Supreme Court decided
Shelby County v. Holder, the North Carolina General Assembly
passed, and the Governor signed into law, what became known as
the ‘‘monster law,’’ 32 a sweeping voter suppression bill requiring
strict forms of voter ID, cuts to early voting, and eliminating key
election administration practices. The North Carolina law was
crafted in such a discriminatory manner a three-judge panel found
that the provisions ‘‘target[ed] African Americans with almost sur-
gical precision’’ and ‘‘impose[d] cures for problems that did not
exist.’’ 33 While that law was struck down by the courts, barriers
to voting persist in North Carolina. Issues discussed included at-
tempts at restrictive voter ID laws, discriminatory gerrymandering,
reductions in early voting opportunities, intimidation, and the per-
petuation of false voter fraud narratives, among others.
32 Sari Horwitz, WASH. POST, How North Carolina Became the Epicenter of the Voting Rights
Battle, Apr. 27, 2016, available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/how-
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north-carolina-became-the-epicenter-of-the-voting-rights-battle/2016/04/26/af05c5a8-0bcb-11e6-
8ab8-9ad050f76d7d_story.html.
33 North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP v. McCrory, 831 F.3d 204, 216–218 (4th Cir.
2016), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 1399.
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In Cleveland, Ohio, Naila Awan, Senior Counsel, Demos; Mike
Brickner, Ohio State Director, All Voting is Local; Inajo Davis
Chappell, Member, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections; Daniel
Ortiz, Outreach Director, Policy Matters Ohio; Tom Roberts, Presi-
dent, Ohio Conference of the NAACP; and Elaine Tso, Interim Co-
Chief Executive Officer, Asian Services in Action presented testi-
mony detailing the suppressive changes Ohio has made to the
state’s election laws. These changes include reductions in early vot-
ing hours and days, the elimination of ‘‘Golden Week,’’ a week of
essentially same day voter registration during early voting, and the
reduction of early voting locations to one per county regardless of
county size, all while constantly altering the rules and procedures
around voting and implementing an aggressive voter purge sys-
tem.34 Additionally, witnesses raised the need for greater language
access and Ohio’s practice of denying pre-trial detainees jailed in
the days preceding an election access to an absentee ballot.
In Florida, the Subcommittee heard testimony from Marleine
Bastien, Founder and Executive Director, Family Action Network
Movement; Nancy Batista, Florida State Director, Mi Familia Vota;
Juan Cartagena, President and Senior Counsel, Latino Justice
PRLDEF; Judith Browne Dianis, Executive Director, Advancement
Project; Andrew Gillum, Chair, Forward Florida; Anjenys Gonzalez-
Eilert, Executive Director, Common Cause Florida; Karen
Wilkerson, Member, League of Women Voters of Florida; and
Logan Churchwell, Communication and Research Director, Public
Interest Legal Foundation (minority witness). Witnesses discussed
the concerted effort of Florida Republicans to undermine the will
of Florida voters and limit the scope of Amendment 4, which would
have restored the right to vote to approximately 1.4 million Florid-
ians with prior felony convictions, by making these voters pay all
past fines and fees before they can regain their right to vote. Addi-
tionally, the Subcommittee heard testimony on issues such as the
lack of access to language assistance, signature match issues, at-
tempts to undermine early voting, voter purges, polling place clo-
sures, natural disaster preparedness, and election security.
The Subcommittee also visited Alabama, home to the historic
town of Selma as well as Shelby County of the 2013 Shelby County
v. Holder Supreme Court case. In Birmingham, the Subcommittee
received testimony from Nancy Abudu, Deputy Legal Director, Vot-
ing Rights, Southern Poverty Law Center; James Blacksher, Esq.;
Jenny Carroll, Professor of Law, University of Alabama School of
Law; Scott Douglas, Executive Director, Greater Birmingham Min-
istries; Isabel Rubio, Executive Director, Hispanic Interest Coali-
tion of Alabama; Benard Simelton, Sr., President, Alabama Con-
ference of the NAACP, and Ernest Montgomery, Council Member,
Calera City Council. Mr. Montgomery’s City Council seat, the at-
tempt to redraw the district lines, and the subsequent denial by
the Department of Justice was the basis of the Shelby County case.
These witnesses offered testimony about issues such as Alabama’s
restrictive voter ID law, attempts to require proof of citizenship to
34 Subcomm. on Elections, Voting Rights and Election Administration in the United States of
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America, 116th Congress (2019), available at https://cha.house.gov/sites/democrats.cha.house.gov/
files/documents/
Voting%20Rights%20and%20Election%20Administration%20in%20America_ONLINE_11-18-
2019.pdf.
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vote, voter purges and voter registration issues, the continued dis-
enfranchisement of people with prior felony convictions, and polling
place closures.
In Phoenix, Arizona, the Subcommittee heard additional testi-
mony on the barriers faced by Native American voters. Stephen
Roe Lewis, Governor, Gila River Indian Community and Jonathan
Nez, President, Navajo Nation testified about the barriers to voting
faced by members of their tribal nations, such as a lack of tradi-
tional address and regular mailing services, which creates difficul-
ties in registering to vote, receiving and returning mail-in ballots,
and accessing consolidated polling locations.35 Additionally, access
to properly translated voting materials for Native-language speak-
ing voters, as well as proper assistance at the polls, pose challenges
for Native voters.
Also in Arizona, Montserrat Arredondo, Table Director, One Ari-
zona; Patricia Ferguson-Bohnee, Professor of Law and Director, In-
dian Legal Clinic, Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor
School of Law; Alex Gulotta, Arizona State Director, All Voting is
Local; Darrell Hill, Policy Director, ACLU of Arizona; and Lorena
C. Van Assche, Member, Arizona State Advisory Committee, U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights testified to issues such as the wide-
spread reduction in polling places that has occurred throughout the
state,36 attempts to outlaw third-party ballot return, photo ID re-
quirements, language access, and the continued disenfranchise-
ment of formerly incarcerated individuals with prior felony convic-
tions. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, Senator, State Senate of Arizona (mi-
nority witness) discussed Arizona’s H.B. 2023 (prohibiting the gath-
ering of ballots and placing heavy penalties on individuals who
turn in ballots other than their own), arguing in favor of the law.
When questioned about how significant a problem ‘‘ballot har-
vesting’’ is in Arizona, Senator Ugenti-Rita stated that ‘‘maybe a
dozen’’ people came to speak with her about the alleged problem
before she created the current law, but she offered no evidence of
any issue with ballot collection.37
In Washington, D.C., the Subcommittee held a culminating hear-
ing which brought together four panels and a total of fifteen wit-
nesses to provide the Members with a national-scope of evidence of
voting rights and election administration issues and offer testimony
and evidence about issues in states the Subcommittee was unable
to visit prior to finishing the report.
During the hearing’s first panel, Dale Ho, Director, Voting Rights
Project, ACLU; Kristen Clarke, President and Executive Director,
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; and Deuel Ross,
Senior Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
discussed the landscape of voting rights litigation post-Shelby
County, in both formerly covered states and states that were never
covered. On the second panel, Catherine E. Lhamon, Chair, U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights; Michael Waldman, President, Bren-
35 Voting Rights and Election Administration in Arizona: Hearing Before the Subcomm. on
Elections, 116th Cong. (2019), written testimony of President Jonathan Nez and Governor of
Stephen Roe Lewis.
36 The Leadership Conference Education Fund, Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures
and the Right to Vote (Sept. 2019) at p. 26, available at http://civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/reports/
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Democracy-Diverted.pdf.
37 Voting Rights and Election Administration in Arizona: Hearing Before the Subcomm. on
Elections, 116th Cong. (2019), hearing transcript, State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita at p. 75–
76.
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nan Center for Justice; Brenda Wright, Senior Advisor for Legal
Strategies, Demos; and Elena Nunez, Director of State Operations
and Ballot Measure Strategies, Common Cause discussed the state
of voting rights and voting laws in the states not visited by the
Subcommittee, the continued disenfranchisement of formerly incar-
cerated persons, election administration issues that create barriers
to voting, and emerging barriers.
Panel three, composed of Barbara Arnwine, National Co-Chair,
National Commission for Voter Justice; Hannah Fried, Director, All
Voting is Local; Virginia Kase, Chief Executive Officer, League of
Women Voters; and Denise Liberman, Senior Attorney and Pro-
gram Director, Power and Democracy, Advancement Project, dis-
cussed the voting experience, including polling place closures, wait
times, and stories collected from voters across the county. On the
fourth and final panel, Thomas Saenz, President and General
Counsel, MALDEF; Arturo Vargas, Chief Executive Officer,
NALEO Educational Fund; John C. Yang, President and Executive
Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice|AAJC; and Michelle
Bishop, Voting Rights Specialist, National Disability Rights Net-
work provided testimony on language access barriers faced by
Asian American and Latino voters, election administration issues
that can disenfranchise limited-English proficiency voters, and bar-
riers faced by persons with disabilities when trying to cast their
ballot.
The results of these field hearings culminated in a more than
140-page report titled Voting Rights and Election Administration in
the United States of America, issued in the fall of 2019.38 The re-
port and its findings were incorporated into the House report ac-
companying H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019
(later renamed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
of 2020).39 Findings included in the report resulted in the incorpo-
ration of protections guarding against cutbacks to Sunday early
voting and discriminatory voter purges in the covered practices pro-
visions of the House-passed version of H.R. 4. The Voting Rights
Advancement Act would restore the full force of the Voting Rights
Act by instituting a new coverage formula and implementing a new
covered practices regime.
Additional Subcommittee Hearings
In February 2020, the Subcommittee held a hearing titled ‘‘Na-
tive American Voting Rights: Exploring Barriers and Solutions,’’
building upon the testimony received by the Subcommittee at the
field hearings in North Dakota and Arizona and discussing solu-
tions such as H.R. 1694 the Native American Voting Rights Act
(NAVRA).
Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico testified before the Sub-
committee regarding H.R. 1694, which would protect the voting
rights of Native American and Alaska Native voters. Leonard
Forsman, Chairman, Suquamish Tribe (WA); Doreen McPaul, At-
torney General, Navajo Nation; and Amber Torres, Chairperson,
Walker River Paiute Tribe (NV) testified to the structural and ad-
ministrative barriers faced by the members of their tribal nations,
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38 Supra note 40.
39 Supra note 2.
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advancements made to improve access to the franchise, and the
need for further protections, such as those offered in NAVRA.
Additionally, Patricia Ferguson-Bohnee, Professor of Law and Di-
rector, Indian Legal Clinic, Arizona State University Sandra Day
O’Connor School of Law, and Jacqueline De León, Staff Attorney,
Native American Rights Fund spoke to the unique structural prob-
lems affecting life on Native American reservations, to specific liti-
gation involving Native American voting rights, to the legal history
of Native American disenfranchisement, and to congressional con-
stitutional authority in Native American affairs. Elvis Norquay,
Member, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, spoke to his
personal experience of being denied his right to vote in 2014 in
North Dakota because his tribal ID card lacked a residential ad-
dress.
The COVID–19 pandemic changed the landscape of the 2020 pri-
mary elections. Following the conduct of several primaries in
March and April 2020, the Subcommittee convened a hearing on
June 11, 2020 to examine the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic
on voting rights and election administration. Specifically, Wiscon-
sin’s April primary highlighted numerous problems with relying
primarily on in-person voting during the pandemic, including the
widespread closure of polling locations due to a lack of poll work-
ers, issues with voters never receiving their requested mail-in bal-
lots in time to safely cast a ballot, and widespread voter confusion
over the constantly changing voting regulations.
This hearing, ‘‘The Impact of COVID–19 on Voting Rights and
Election Administration: Ensuring Safe and Fair Elections,’’ was
the Subcommittee’s first conducted virtually under H. Res. 965
(116th Congress) that permitted House Committees to conduct re-
mote proceedings due to the COVID–19 pandemic. Rep. Marcy
Kaptur of Ohio and Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin testified to the
issues experienced by voters in their respective states during the
primaries and the need to find a solution for the November general
election that protected both the right to vote and voters’ health.
As states were making a rapid shift to mail-in voting and false
claims were spreading that a widespread shift to vote-by-mail
would be ripe for fraud, Kristen Clarke, President and Executive
Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law;
Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal De-
fense and Educational Fund, Inc.; and Lawrence Norden, Director,
Election Reform Program, Brennan Center for Justice testified to
the need for additional resources and Congressional action, protec-
tions for safe in-person voting options, the landscape of voting
changes and litigation taking place in the states, and the impact
of the pandemic and voting changes on minority voters. Mark
Dimondstein, President, American Postal Workers Union testified
to the Postal Service’s long history of successfully carrying out
vote-by-mail, the need for more funding for the Postal Service, and
the commitment of postal workers to ensuring every American can
safely access their right to vote in November. R. Kyle Ardoin, Sec-
retary of State, Louisiana, and John H. Merrill, Secretary of State,
Alabama testified about the changes made in their states during
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the pandemic and argued against further federal-level actions.
Additionally, on July 28, 2020, the Subcommittee held a virtual
hearing focused specifically on voting rights and election adminis-
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tration in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the other U.S. territories.
The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), Puerto Rico, Guam, American
Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
(CNMI) make up the inhabited territories of the United States.
People who are born in Puerto Rico, USVI, Guam, and CNMI are
U.S. citizens; persons born in American Samoa are U.S. nationals.
More than 90 percent of the residents of the territories are racial
or ethnic minorities, yet residents the territories do not have full
congressional representation.
The hearing, ‘‘Voting Rights and Election Administration in the
U.S. Virgin Islands and Other Territories,’’ featured Delegates and
a Resident Commissioner representing four of the five territories.
Del. Stacey E. Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands; Del. Gregorio
Kilili Camacho Sablan of the Northern Mariana Islands; Del. Mi-
chael F. Q. San Nicolas of Guam; and Resident Commissioner
Jenniffer González-Colón of Puerto testified regarding the unique
challenges faced by residents of the territories when voting, as well
as the impact the lack of full enfranchisement has on the terri-
tories. The hearing also discussed the varying treatment of the ter-
ritories under federal election laws.40 Gerard Emanuel, Retired Ed-
ucator; Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, President, League of Women Vot-
ers of the Virgin Islands; and Neil Weare, President and Founder,
Equally American Legal Defense and Education Fund provided ad-
ditional testimony. This hearing was the first of its kind.
On October 6, 2020, in the final Subcommittee hearing of the
116th Congress, Members focused on combatting misinformation
and disinformation in the upcoming 2020 general election. Ahead
of the 2020 election the President spread false information about
the integrity of vote-by-mail, made false claims about non-existent
voter fraud, encouraged his supporters in North Carolina and else-
where to ‘‘test the system’’ by mailing in a ballot and then showing
up at their polling site to ‘‘make sure their vote was counted,’’
claimed that if he lost, the election must be rigged, and made false
claims that if we did not know the winner on election night, we
may never know who won the election, among other false claims.
Also impacting this year’s election was the perpetuation of misin-
formation and disinformation around the COVID–19 pandemic.
This remote hearing, ‘‘Voting Rights and Election Administra-
tion: Combatting Misinformation in the 2020 Election, included tes-
timony from Benjamin Hovland, Commissioner, U.S. Election As-
sistance Commission; Jena Griswold, Secretary of State, Colorado;
and Inajo Davis Chappell, Member, Cuyahoga County Board of
Elections. This testimony provided various federal, state, and local
responses to misinformation and disinformation ahead of the No-
vember election. Spencer Overton, President, Joint Center for Polit-
ical and Economic Studies, provided testimony on the disparate im-
pact of misinformation and disinformation on minority voters and
the role of social media companies and government in combatting
the spread of election misinformation and disinformation.
40 Under federal election laws, the territories are currently not covered by the National Voter
Registration Act (NVRA). All the territories are covered by the Voting Rights Act (VRA). USVI,
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Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa are covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens
Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA); CNMI is not. USVI, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa
are also covered by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA); CNMI is not. H.R. 1 added CNMI to
HAVA coverage as well as the NVRA.
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Voting During a Pandemic
The 2020 primary and general elections took place during the
unprecedented COVID–19 pandemic. In June, the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines that rec-
ommended election administrators provide a wide variety of voting
options, longer in-person voting periods, and other mechanisms or
options for reducing any crowding at polling locations.41 The CDC
warned that ‘‘elections with only in-person voting on a single day
are higher risk for COVID–19 spread because there will be larger
crowds and longer wait times’’ and said that alternative voting op-
tions can ‘‘minimize direct contact and reduce crowd size at polling
locations’’ Throughout the primary and general election season,
local and state election officials across the country worked hard to
expand safe in-person voting opportunities and access to absentee
voting by mail.
As previously discussed, the Subcommittee on Elections held a
hearing on the COVID–19 pandemic’s impact on voting. On August
28, 2020, the full Committee held a remote hearing on titled ‘‘Vot-
ing Safely in a Pandemic,’’ providing an opportunity for election of-
ficials and administrators, voting experts and advocates to testify
about the importance of providing safe voting options and how
Americans can vote safely either in-person or by mail during the
ongoing pandemic. The hearing featured Alex Padilla, California
Secretary of State; Julie Wise, Director of Elections, King County,
Washington; Amber McReynolds, CEO, National Vote at Home In-
stitute; Vanita Gupta, President and CEO, The Leadership Con-
ference on Civil and Human Rights; and Donald Palmer, Commis-
sioner (EAC).
The witnesses testified about election administration changes
being made to adapt to the voting access and public health chal-
lenges posed by the pandemic. Changes included securely expand-
ing access to, and eligibility for, no-excuse absentee voting by mail,
maintaining safe polling centers, providing personal protective
equipment and relevant trainings to poll workers and increasing
voter education about safe voting options. Additionally, testimony
addressed concerns about mail service disruptions at the U.S. Post-
al Service, ongoing election disinformation about alleged voter
fraud, and the suppression of historically marginalized commu-
nities. Witnesses also testified about the positive impact of election
administration grants appropriated through the Coronavirus Aid,
Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the need for more
federal resources to support local and state election administra-
tion.42
Additionally, the Committee supported election administration
oversight activities in connection with ongoing service issues at the
U.S. Postal Service. After the appointment of Louis DeJoy as the
Postal Service’s Postmaster General on June 15, 2020, the Postal
Service began undergoing significant and disruptive operational
policy changes that slowed mail delivery and raised serious con-
cerns about the impact on voting by mail. The changes included an
Expedited to Street/Afternoon Sortation (ESAS) pilot program in
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41 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Considerations for Election Polling Locations
(updated June 22, 2020), available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/elec-
tion-polling-locations.html.
42 P.L. 116–136.
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384 selected sites across the nation that altered delivery practices
and procedures, overtime restrictions, restrictions in late trips and
extra trips, and a plan to decommission 671 sorting machines. In
early August, Postmaster General DeJoy overhauled management
at the Postal Service. Further, the Postal Service’s General Counsel
and Executive Vice President, Thomas Marshall, sent letters to
chief election officials across the country indicating that the long-
standing practice of treating Election Mail (which includes voter
registration materials, absentee ballot requests and absentee bal-
lots) as First-Class Mail would not be continuing.
On August 14, 2020, Speaker Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader
Chuck Schumer, along with Chairperson Zoe Lofgren, Chairperson
Carolyn Maloney, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Gary Peters,
sent an extensive oversight letter seeking additional information on
the Postal Service’s various disruptive operational policy changes
and requesting documents regarding such changes in policies and
practices.43
After further criticism from Members of Congress, postal unions,
election administrators, voting advocacy groups, and voters, Post-
master General DeJoy released a statement on August 18, 2020, in
which he said that he would reverse ‘‘longstanding operational ini-
tiatives’’ in order ‘‘to avoid even the appearance of any impact on
election mail.’’ 44 In the statement, DeJoy made four specific assur-
ances: retail hours would not change at post offices, mail processing
equipment and blue collection boxes would remain put, mail proc-
essing facilities would not close, and overtime would continue and
be approved as needed.45 DeJoy’s statement did not clarify the en-
tire scope of the ‘‘longstanding operational initiatives’’ that would
be suspended, did not reverse equipment removals of mail sorting
machines and mailboxes that had already taken place, and did not
address the question of whether Election Mail would be treated
just as First-Class Mail.
On August 14, 2020, the Committee worked with the Committee
on Oversight and Reform’s Select Subcommittee on the
Coronavirus Crisis to send election administration oversight letters
to chief election officials in Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Wisconsin
to examine preparations being made to administer free, fair, and
safe federal elections in November in the midst of the COVID–19
pandemic. During the primary election season, these states experi-
enced significant barriers to voting such as long lines and wait
times at polling places, closed, moved or consolidated polling
places, poll worker shortages, and for Texas in particular, eligibility
restrictions to voting by mail. The oversight letters requested docu-
ments and information about how each state planned to eliminate
election administration challenges and voting barriers that
emerged during the primary election season and how each state
plans to ensure that every eligible voter could freely and safely cast
their ballot in the general election. The letters also called for the
43 Letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy (Aug. 14, 2020), available at https://
www.speaker.gov/sites/speaker.house.gov/files/
20200814_Letter_JointPelosiSchumerLofgrenKlobucharCBMPeterstoPMGreElectionPrep.pdf.
44 Postmaster General Louis DeJoy Statement, THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE (Aug. 18,
2020), available at https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020/0818-postmaster-gen-
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eral-louis-dejoy-statement.htm.
45 Postmaster General Louis DeJoy Statement, THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE (Aug. 18,
2020), available at https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020/0818-postmaster-gen-
eral-louis-dejoy-statement.htm.
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states to develop plans that adhered to the June 2020 CDC rec-
ommendations for election administration and that offered ade-
quate early voting, sufficient polling locations and hours, and acces-
sible mail-in or absentee voting options.
On October 6, 2020, the Committee worked with the Select Sub-
committee on the Coronavirus Crisis to send an additional over-
sight letter to the Secretary of State of Texas. The oversight letter
raised disenfranchisement and public health concerns about the
Secretary of State’s October 1 proclamation which prohibited mul-
tiple ballot drop-off locations and required early vote-by mail bal-
lots returned in person to be delivered to a single designated voting
clerk’s office in each county. Such a restriction to where ballots can
be cast contravened CDC guidance because it forced voters to con-
gregate at a single county clerk’s office to deliver mail-in ballots.
The letter urged the Secretary of State to reverse the proclamation
and to disclose documents regarding the decision to restrict access
to early voting by mail by outlawing ballot drop-off locations other
than a single designated clerk’s office.
Faced with a pandemic amid a national election, the Committee
drafted H.R. 7427, the American Coronavirus/COVID–19 Election
Security and Safety (ACCESS) Act, which offers a comprehensive
solution to the challenges posed by voting during a national health
crisis. The ACCESS Act adopts an ‘‘all of the above’’ approach to
ballot access by expanding both in-person early voting and voting
by mail. The bill ensures that every voter will receive a ballot in
a national emergency, such as the COVID–19 outbreak, and pro-
tects against the invalidation of absentee ballots due to signature
matching or other discrepancies, which disproportionately affect
minority voters. The ACCESS Act also requires absentee ballots to
be accompanied by prepaid postage, contains special protections for
Native American voters, who face unique geographical and struc-
tural obstacles to exercising the franchise, and implements ex-
panded voter registration opportunities. Perhaps most importantly,
the ACCESS Act provides states and localities with the funding
they need to implement these and other necessary changes.
The House passed the ACCESS Act on May 15, 2020, as part of
the Heroes Act (H.R. 6800, Division P). Regrettably, the Senate re-
fused to take up this critical piece of legislation, leaving state and
local election officials to fend for themselves during a once-in-a-gen-
eration crisis.
Contested Elections
Article 1, Section 5, of the Constitution, delegates to each Cham-
ber of Congress the responsibility and authority to judge its own
elections. The Committee is also responsible for implementing the
Federal Contested Elections Act (FCEA).46 To execute its respon-
sibilities under the Constitution, FCEA, and oversight of federal
elections generally, the Committee coordinates efforts on a bipar-
tisan basis to ensure that all ballots in close congressional races
are counted fairly and accurately. When requested by a Member or
candidate, the Committee deploys at least two observers, one from
the majority and one from the minority, to the congressional dis-
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trict at issue. Specific observer responsibilities include documenting
46 2 U.S.C. §§ 381 et seq.
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74
the state of ballots during an extended count and/or recount, ob-
serving the security of voting machines, equipment, voter rolls,
records, and the security of stored ballots. The observations are
critical to the House of Representatives and to the Committee, par-
ticularly in the event the House or Committee is directed to inves-
tigate or resolve a contested election.
During the 2020 election cycle, the Committee reworked its elec-
tion observer program, creating new and more detailed training
materials and conducting extensive research on the applicable laws
in each state. In total, the Committee’s majority staff trained over
200 House staffers as election observers. This year, the Committee
received 31 requests for observers from incumbent Members and/
or candidates for congressional office in connection with the No-
vember 3, 2020, general election, which is almost 2.5 times more
requests for observers than the Committee received in 2018. The
Committee sent observers to 21 congressional races in Arizona,
California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Ten candidates later de-
termined observers were unnecessary after consultation with the
Committee. In addition, the Committee sent four observers to ob-
serve a recount in Iowa’s Second Congressional District.
Contested election cases are rare. For example, from 1933 to
2009, the U.S. House of Representatives considered only 107 con-
tested election cases. Of these 107 contests, in at least three cases,
the House ultimately seated the contestant, and in at least one
case, the House ultimately refused to seat any individual, declaring
a vacancy.
On December 2, 2020, Rita Hart, a candidate for the House in
Iowa’s Second Congressional District, announced that her cam-
paign would file a contest under the FCEA with the House to chal-
lenge the results of a district-wide recount. The recount resulted in
a six-vote margin between the candidates. On December 22, 2020,
Hart filed with the Clerk of the House a notice of intent to contest
the election. As of this time, the Committee has received, and is in
the early stage of reviewing, the filing. Under the FCEA, her oppo-
nent, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, has 30 days to answer or file a
motion to dismiss the contest. The Committee intends to closely re-
view filings from both campaigns, as the law requires.
LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS DURING THE COVID–19 PANDEMIC
During the 116th Congress, the nation and the world suffered
through the devastating coronavirus (COVID–19) pandemic. At the
beginning of 2020, Americans were first hearing the term COVID–
19. Today, more than 77.9 million people worldwide have con-
tracted the virus and it has killed more than 1.7 million people.47
As of this time, in the U.S. more than 18.2 million people are
known to have contracted the virus, more than 322,000 have died,
47 Johns Hopkins University, COVID–19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and
Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/
map.html (last accessed Dec. 22, 2020); STAT, The Covid–19 Tracker, at https://
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www.statnews.com/feature/coronavirus/covid-19-tracker/ (last accessed Dec. 22, 2020; CDC,
‘‘CDC COVID Data Tracker,’’ https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/
index.html#cases_casesinlast7days (last accessed Dec. 22, 2020); The COVID Tracking Project,
‘‘Our Data,’’ at https://covidtracking.com/data (last accessed Dec. 22, 2020).
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and more than 117,000 are hospitalized—with all of these numbers
continuing to climb.48
To put the impact of the pandemic in historical perspective, more
than three times as many Americans have died of COVID–19 in
less than a year than were killed in all of the military conflicts our
nation has fought in the 75 years since World War II combined.49
The death toll has already surpassed the total number of battle
deaths suffered by Union and Confederate forces in four years of
fighting in the Civil War.50 At current rates, experts estimate that
by mid-January 2021, the total number of deaths in just one year
will eclipse all American deaths in World War II.51
These terrible figures are more than statistics: they represent
shattering losses for many, many American families. But in addi-
tion to the tragic loss of life and the still-unknown long-term health
consequences facing those who have contracted the virus, the pan-
demic has had—and continues to have—staggering impacts on
nearly every aspect of life in the United States. Among other
things, it has affected how we spend time with our families and
loved ones; how we interact with our neighbors; how we travel; how
we learn; and how we work. The pandemic has also affected how
our democracy operates, including how we vote and how those we
elect to represent us conduct business in legislative bodies at all
levels of government.
The COVID–19 crisis demands legislative action and oversight
and the continued work of the Congress, which has a responsibility
to the American people to explore additional ways to be able to con-
tinue that work in the face of the pandemic. The Committee has
been mindful that many people are putting themselves at risk by
working on the frontlines every day: from doctors and nurses, to
police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, to transit workers and
truck drivers, among others. The Committee appreciates all that
the people in many critical lines of work are doing to support their
communities and the country, even at risk to their own health.
While the Committee is keenly aware of these immense changes
and challenges, this report focuses narrowly on issues related on
how the House of Representatives and the Committee responded to
protect the safety and health of those who work in the legislative
branch while preserving the ability of the Congress to continue its
vital work.
Fortunately, Members and staff of the Congress have an option
that many vital frontline workers do not: Congress can perform
much of its work remotely in a safe, secure, online format. During
48 Johns Hopkins University, COVID–19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and
Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/
map.html (last accessed Dec. 22, 2020); STAT, The Covid–19 Tracker, at https://
www.statnews.com/feature/coronavirus/covid-19-tracker/ (last accessed Dec. 22, 2020; CDC,
‘‘CDC COVID Data Tracker,’’ https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/
index.html#cases_casesinlast7days (last accessed Dec. 22, 2020).
49 A total of 102,231 U.S. servicemembers were killed from the start of the Korean War in
1950 through Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, as of December 14,
2020, including all battle and other in theater deaths. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
‘‘America’s Wars,’’ https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/factsheets/fs_americas_wars.pdf (Nov.
2019); U.S. Department of Defense, ‘‘Casualty Status,’’ https://www.defense.gov/casualty.pdf (last
accessed Dec. 19, 2020).
50 Union and Confederate battle deaths in the Civil War totaled 214,938. U.S. Department of
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Veterans Affairs, ‘‘America’s Wars,’’ https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/factsheets/
fs_americas_wars.pdf (Nov. 2019).
51 Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, COVID–19 Projections, available at https://
covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america (last accessed Dec. 19, 2020).
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the pandemic, the Committee has worked with leadership, other
committees, and institutional partners to find ways to ensure that
the House can continue its legislative operations while protecting
the health and safety of all who work in the legislative branch.
This portion of the report summarizes the effect that the pandemic
has had on the functioning of government throughout the country,
the innovative practices the Committee has helped develop to en-
sure the House continue to operate, and the Committee’s review of
one particular possible innovation, remote voting.
The Pandemic’s Impact on Governmental Operations
In the fall of 2020, events at the White House actively spread
COVID–19 and also impacted the operations of the U.S. Senate,
underscoring the effect the pandemic has had on operations of the
highest levels of government. On October 2, 2020, President Donald
J. Trump announced that he and First Lady Melania Trump had
both tested positive for COVID–19 and would begin to quarantine
immediately.52 The same day, President Trump was flown by heli-
copter to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Be-
thesda, Maryland, while Mrs. Trump was quarantined in the White
House.53 President Trump was hospitalized for three days and re-
ceived a number of experimental treatments not in widespread use
before being returned to the White House.54 In addition, dozens of
senior government officials who attended events at the White
House with the President in the prior week—including at least
three U.S. Senators—also tested positive for the virus.55 An inves-
tigation by USA Today concluded that, ‘‘President Trump and other
White House insiders infected with COVID–19 carried the virus
across the country in a matter of days, potentially exposing hun-
dreds, perhaps thousands, of people as they went about their busi-
ness.’’ 56 As Dr. Anthony Fauci put it, ‘‘I think the—the data speaks
for themselves. We had a super-spreader event in the White House
and it was in a situation where people were crowded together and
were not wearing masks.’’ 57
In response to the outbreak and the fact that a number of Sen-
ators contracted the virus, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McCon-
nell changed the legislative schedule in the Senate, and delayed
52 President Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump), Twitter (Oct. 2, 2020, 12:54 a.m.), https://
twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1311892190680014849.
53 Rebecca Ballhaus, Catherine Lucey & Michael C. Bender, WALL ST. J., Trump Moves to
Walter Reed Hospital After Testing Positive for Coronavirus, Oct. 3, 2020, available at https://
www.wsj.com/articles/president-trump-and-first-lady-melania-test-positive-for-the-coronavirus-
11601639968.
54 Barbara Sprunt, NPR, ‘‘Don’t Be Afraid Of It’’: Trump Dismisses Virus Threat As He Re-
turns to White House, Oct. 5, 2020, available at https://www.npr.org/sections/latest-updates-
trump-covid-19-results/2020/10/05/920412187/trump-says-he-will-leave-walter-reed-medical-cen-
ter-monday-night.
55 Josh Margolin & Lucien Bruggeman, ABC NEWS, 34 people connected to White House, more
than previously known, infected by coronavirus: Internal FEMA memo, Oct. 7, 2020, available
at https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/34-people-connected-white-house-previously-infected-
coronavirus/story?id=73487381.
56 Josh Salman & Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, White House coronavirus outbreak may
have exposed thousands from Atlanta to Minnesota, Oct. 7, 2020, available at https://
www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2020/10/07/officials-exposed-went-attend-rallies-de-
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bates-and-fundraisers/5907663002/.
57 Kathryn Watson & Steven Portnoy, CBS NEWS, Fauci says data on masks ‘‘speaks for itself’’
after ‘‘super-spreader’’ White House Event, Oct. 9, 2020, available at https://www.cbsnews.com/
news/dr-fauci-on-masks-super-spreader-covid-event-interview/.
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floor activity for two weeks.58 Senator McConnell also subsequently
stated that he had not been to the White House in months, observ-
ing that it was not ‘‘approaching protection from this illness in the
same way that I thought was appropriate in the Senate,’’ and he
specifically noted that the White House has not insisted on mask
wearing and social distancing.59 Similarly, media reports also
noted that the White House has not followed a number of practices
widely recommended by health experts, including wearing masks,
practicing social distancing, following state and local limits on large
gatherings, not following guidelines for quarantining and isolating
following positive tests, and not following contact tracing proto-
cols.60 In addition, media reports also indicated that the White
House had relied too heavily on rapid tests, while also using the
rapid tests in a manner not consistent with their intended use.61
The outbreak of COVID–19 associated with events at the White
House, President Trump and the First Lady contracting COVID–
19, and the Senate subsequently suspending legislative activity for
weeks are the starkest examples to date of how a new virus that
was previously unknown in the United States has—in less than a
year—become a deadly pandemic capable of impacting nearly every
facet of American life, including the operations of our federal gov-
ernment. But they are not the only examples.
Even after all of these events, two lawyers for President Trump
and his unsuccessful presidential campaign traveled to a number
of states and spoke to state legislators about the 2020 election, and
did not wear masks during their appearances.62 Subsequently, both
were revealed to have tested positive for COVID.63 As a result,
state legislatures in three different states canceled legislative ses-
sion or otherwise had to modify legislative operations.64
At the state level, outbreaks among legislators have impacted the
ability to conduct government business in a number of states. For
example, in Mississippi, more than 60 legislators and staff—includ-
ing at least 49 members—contracted the virus in July 2020.65 The
58 Chris Cioffi, ROLL CALL, After Republican COVID–19 positives, Senate to remain out until
Oct. 19, Oct. 3, 2020, available at https://www.rollcall.com/2020/10/03/after-republican-covid-19-
positives-senate-to-remain-out-until-oct-19/.
59 Dominic Torres & Clare Foran, CNN, McConnell says he hasn’t been to White House since
August, citing Covid–19 protocols, Oct. 8, 2020, available at https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/08/poli-
tics/mcconnell-white-house-coronavirus/index.html.
60 Lauren Leatherby, Amy Schoenfeld Walker, Larry Buchanan & John Keefe, N.Y. TIMES,
How the White House Flouted Basic Coronavirus Rules, Oct. 8, 2020, available at https://
www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/08/us/white-house-coronavirus-cdc.html.
61 Lauren Leatherby, Amy Schoenfeld Walker, Larry Buchanan & John Keefe, N.Y. TIMES,
How the White House Flouted Basic Coronavirus Rules, Oct. 8, 2020, available at https://
www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/08/us/white-house-coronavirus-cdc.html; Lev Facher, STAT
News, Why the White House’s testing-only strategy to shield Trump from Covid-19 fell short, Oct.
2, 2020, available at
62 ASSOCIATED PRESS, Jenna Ellis, 2nd member of Trump’s legal team, tests positive for
COVID–19, Dec. 9, 2020, available at https://www.fox9.com/news/jenna-ellis-2nd-member-of-
trumps-legal-team-tests-positive-for-covid-19.
63 Id.
64 Lindsay Walker, YAHOO! NEWS, AZ legislature closes after Republican lawmakers exposed
to virus, Dec. 7, 2020, available at https://news.yahoo.com/az-legislature-closes-republican-law-
makers-163946863.html; Abigail Censky, NPR, After Giuliani hearing last week, Michigan
House is accused of COVID–19 violations, Dec. 8, 2020, available at https://www.npr.org/2020/
12/08/944322462/week-after-giuliani-hearing-michigan-house-is-accused-of-covid-19-violations;
Maya T. Prabhu, ATLANTA JOURNAL–CONSTITUTION, Georgia Senators urged to quarantine after
Giuliani’s COVID–19 diagnosis, Dec. 7, 2020, available at https://www.ajc.com/politics/georgia-
senators-urged-to-quarantine-after-giulianis-covid-19-diagnosis/
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HEARINGS
TELIVAETQJFUPKOFANAKWBU6II/.
65 Anita Lee, SUN HERALD, How many MS legislators did COVID–19 strike? Number has
grown, with one related death, Aug. 10, 2020, available at https://www.sunherald.com/news/
Continued
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78
Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor, who presides
over the Senate, were also both positive. That left the state govern-
ment in limbo, with significant pending business unfinished.66 In
a number of states, tragically, legislators have died.67
In Congress, by one count 105 Members have publicly disclosed
that they tested positive, self-quarantined, or had otherwise come
in contact with someone else who was positive.68 In April 2020, at
the same time least 22 Members of the House had either tested
positive, were presumed positive, or were in self-quarantine be-
cause of exposure to someone who was positive.69 In just the last
month, 23 Members have publicly reported testing positive.70 In
one case, a Member disclosed having tested positive just hours
after voting and speaking on the House floor—then deleted a
Facebook post from just hours earlier in which he had criticized
steps the House has taken to protect its Members and staff.71
Support of Legislative Operations
As one recent media report observed, ‘‘Legislatures are natural
targets for Covid, with a potential to become potent spreading
grounds as cases continue to surge nationally: They involve large
numbers of adults—many of them older—meeting for hours in
sometimes windowless committee rooms and chambers, arguing,
testifying, and making speeches.’’ 72 In light of these very serious
concerns, and to avoid the types of situations described above, in
the early weeks and months of the coronavirus (COVID–19) pan-
demic, the U.S. House of Representatives proactively and respon-
sibly modified its legislative operations to ensure that the House
would be able to continue its critical work during the public health
emergency, while protecting the health and safety of all those who
work in the House.
These steps ensured that the House could continue to act during
the crisis, including passing legislation and conducting oversight,
while also protecting the health and safety of legislative branch
staff. The House authorized committees to conduct virtual hear-
coronavirus/article244854672.html; Bobby Harrison, MISSISSIPPI TODAY, Legislators pay price for
disregarding COVID–19 precautions at Capitol, July 19, 2020, available at https://
mississippitoday.org/2020/07/19/legislators-pay-price-for-disregarding-covid-19-precautions-at-
capitol/.
66 Ivan Pereira, ABC NEWS, Mississippi statehouse shuttered for 2 weeks as dozens of law-
makers contract coronavirus, July 9, 2020, available at https://abcnews.go.com/Health/mis-
sissippi-statehouse-shuttered-weeks- dozens-lawmakers-contract-coronavirus/story?id=71690136.
67 Ballotpedia, ‘‘Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quar-
antines due to the coronavirus (COVID–19) pandemic, 2020,’’ available at https://ballotpedia.org/
Government_official,_politician,_and_candidate_deaths,_diagnoses,_and_quarantines_due_to_
the_coronavirus_(COVID–19)_pandemic,_2020 (last accessed Dec. 22, 2020).
68 GovTrack, COVID–19 in Congress, available at https://www.govtrack.us/covid-19#legislators
(last accessed Dec. 22, 2020); Ballotpedia, ‘‘Government official, politician, and candidate deaths,
diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID–19) pandemic, 2020,’’ available at
https://ballotpedia.org/Government_official,_politician,_and_candidate_deaths,_diagnoses,_and
_quarantines_due_to_the_coronavirus_(COVID-19)_pandemic,_2020 (last accessed Dec. 22,
2020).
69 GovTrack, COVID–19 in Congress, available at https://www.govtrack.us/covid-19#legislators
(last accessed Dec. 22, 2020).
70 Id.
71 CNN, Rep. Joe Wilson tests positive for COVID–19, Dec. 16, 2020, available at https://
www.cnn.com/2020/12/16/politics/joe-wilson-covid-19/index.html; Amanda Terkel, HUFFINGTON
POST, After positive COVID–19 diagnosis, GOP lawmaker deletes post mocking precautions, Dec.
17, 2020, available at https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-wilson-covid_n
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HEARINGS
_5fdad6bec5b650b99ad9b68b.
72 Margaret Newkirk, BLOOMBERG, Lawmaker’s death chills U.S. statehouses where masks are
shunned, Dec. 15, 2020, available at https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-15/covid-
cases-strike-in-statehouses-with-mask-averse-lawmakers.
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79
ings, created an electronic hopper for the introduction of legisla-
tion, developed a system to electronically submit extensions of re-
marks, and took significant steps to swiftly expand the ability of
its Members and staff to telework by distributing laptops and tab-
let computers and rapidly increasing the availability of online col-
laborative platforms for official work. The House authorized remote
voting by proxy and directed the chair of the Committee to study
the feasibility of using technology to conduct remote voting in the
House, as discussed in the following section.
Although these are new tools for governing, they are within the
House’s authority to implement and they are not intended to re-
place regular order. To the contrary, they represent prudent and
responsible steps to ensure the House can continue to lead during
this crisis, and they are intended to be used only during extraor-
dinary circumstances.73
A number of the changes increase the options for Members and
staff to complete legislative tasks remotely, rather than requiring
in-person contact. For example, in April 2020, the Speaker of the
House directed the creation of an electronic hopper to permit the
virtual submission of all Floor documents—including bills, resolu-
tions, co-sponsors and extensions of remarks—via a dedicated and
secure email system. Since the policy took effect, 2,816 measures
have been filed electronically, while just 159 were manually filed
using the traditional process.
Also in April 2020, Committee Chairperson Zoe Lofgren, in her
capacity as Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Printing, di-
rected the Government Publishing Office to accept, for publication
in the Congressional Record, extensions of remarks submitted with
a Member’s electronic signature. Under this new and more conven-
ient system, as of December 22, 2020, Members have filed 2,534 ex-
tensions of remarks by email.
On May 15, 2020, the House passed House Resolution 965, a res-
olution ‘‘authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Rep-
resentatives and providing for official remote committee pro-
ceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel
coronavirus and for other purposes.’’ 74
Section 1 of House Resolution 965 provides that ‘‘at any time
after the Speaker or the Speaker’s designee is notified by the Ser-
geant-at-Arms, in consultation with the Attending Physician, that
a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus is in effect,
the Speaker or the Speaker’s designee, in consultation with the Mi-
nority Leader or the Minority Leader’s designee, may designate a
period (hereafter in this resolution referred to as a ‘covered period’)
during which a Member who is designated by another Member as
a proxy in accordance with section 2 may cast the vote of such
other Member or record the presence of such other Member in the
73 Exploring the Feasibility and Security of Technology to Conduct Remote Voting in the
House: Hearing before the Committee on House Administration, 116th Cong. (Opening State-
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ment of Chairperson Zoe Lofgren).
74 Authorizing remote voting by proxy in the House of Representatives and providing for offi-
cial remote committee proceedings during a public health emergency due to a novel coronavirus,
and for other purposes, H. Res. 965, 116th Cong. (2020).
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House.’’ 75 The ‘‘covered period’’ terminates 45 days after the des-
ignation, and may be extended or terminated.76
The Speaker of the House, pursuant to section 1(a) of House Res-
olution 965 announced that a public health emergency existed and
designated a ‘‘covered period’’ on May 20, 2020. In light of the con-
tinued and explosive growth in COVID–19 cases in the U.S., this
‘‘covered period’’ was subsequently extended until August 18, 2020;
until November 16, 2020; and until December 31, 2020.
Under the provision which permits proxy voting, as of December
22, 2020, the House has conducted 142 roll call votes that have in-
cluded directed votes cast by proxy without incident. Nearly 6,253
individual votes have been cast by proxy, including by Members of
both parties. Demonstrating that the system can operate in a bi-
partisan fashion that protects the rights of the minority, proxy
votes have been cast by a Member of one party on behalf of a Mem-
ber of the other party where the physically present Member voted
in a different way than their colleague whose proxy vote they cast.
In addition, several measures passed with proxy votes have been
signed by the President and enacted into law.
Section 4 of House Resolution 965 provides authority for remote
proceedings in House committees during a ‘‘covered period.’’ The
Committee worked closely with the Committee on Rules, the Chief
Administrative Officer (CAO), and House Information Resources
(HIR) to develop options for holding committee proceedings on col-
laborative online platforms, such as Teams, Webex, and Zoom.
Using these new options, as of December 17, 2020, House commit-
tees have held at least 529 events using some form of technology
to permit remote or virtual participation, including:
• Held 169 entirely remote hearings;
• Held 130 hybrid hearings;
• Held 4 entirely remote markups;
• Held 36 hybrid markups; and
• Held scores of remote or hybrid briefings, forums, meet-
ings, and roundtables.
The Committee also coordinated closely with CAO to ensure that
Member and committee offices had the technology they would need
to work remotely. That included getting thousands of laptops and
tablets ordered, imaged, and delivered to offices at a time when
there were significant issues with the supply chain. Using that
hardware and the other technology tools available to House offices,
Members and staff have been able to conduct a significant amount
of work remotely, including as of December 17, 2020:
» More than 11,600 Zoom meetings;
» More than 6,000 Webex meetings;
» More than 327,900 Teams calls or meetings; and
» More than 16.8 million Teams chat messages.
In addition to working with other House offices to advance the
adaptations discussed above, the Committee has also worked with
the Attending Physician, CAO, Architect of the Capitol, and other
legislative branch offices to ensure that in circumstances when
Members and employees need to work in person, their workplaces
are as safe as possible. For example, to ensure offices have access
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75 Id.
76 Id.
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to appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), as of Decem-
ber 18, 2020, the Committee has worked with the CAO and Archi-
tect to acquire and distribute, to both D.C. and district offices,
more than 5,900 canisters of wipes, more than 41,900 bottles of
hand sanitizer, more than 689,900 pairs of gloves, and more than
697,700 masks. The Committee has also worked with these offices
to handle more than 300 requests from offices for plexiglass, with
delivery of nearly 700 items.
The Sergeant at Arms announced new procedures specific to
Floor activity and voting, developed in consultation with the At-
tending Physician and leadership.77 These procedures include lim-
iting access to the Floor during debate to those Members who are
scheduled to speak during debate, conducting votes by groups of
Members, and maintaining ‘‘safe social distancing at all times.’’ 78
In addition, the Sergeant at Arms and Attending Physician have
specifically cautioned for at least six months that with respect to
activity on the Floor, ‘‘Members who are ill with respiratory
symptoms or fever are discouraged from attending.’’ 79
These critical precautionary measures have been implemented to
protect the safety of all who work in the Capitol. As a practical
matter, however, this means that votes take longer than they
would under ‘‘normal’’ conditions.80 For example, each recorded
vote can take 35 minutes or longer, and special cleaning protocols
are in place between vote series.81 This has an overall impact on
the House’s efficiency, but can also impact the amount of time
available for legislative activity, particularly on complex bills,
which in turn has an impact on the House’s options for considering
amendments.82 It is of particular relevance to this discussion that
a primary rationale in favor of adopting electronic voting in the
House 50 years ago was to ‘‘significantly reduce the time required
to vote,’’ as Members had long expressed concern about the time
spent simply taking votes, including roll call votes that could take
45 minutes.83 If the House adopted a remote voting system, as dis-
cussed in the following section, that could not only further protect
the health and safety of legislative branch staff and Members, but
improve House efficiency by reducing the amount of time needed
to execute votes, as was the case when the House adopted elec-
tronic voting a half century ago.
For those situations when someone must physically be in the of-
fice, the Attending Physician has devised and recommends use of
a simple self-screening inventory to be completed at home, before
someone goes to the workplace. In addition, it has been, and re-
mains, critical that people who are physically in the Capitol and
House buildings wear a mask. The Attending Physician continues
to emphasize that wearing a mask ‘‘is one of the simple, basic
77 See e.g. Dear Colleague from Sergeant at Arms Paul D. Irving and Attending Physician Dr.
Brian P. Monahan, ‘‘Procedures for Friday March 27, 2020,’’ Mar. 26, 2020.
78 Id.
79 Id. (emphasis original).
80 See e.g. Noah Wofsy, REMOTE CONTROL: HOW THE LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL AND THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES OPERATE DURING THE PANDEMIC in LAWMAKING AROUND THE WORLD IN
THE TIME OF COVID–19 (2020), available at https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=G4f1MsxZ8mA&feature=youtu.be.
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HEARINGS
81 Id.
82 Id.
83 Jacob R. Straus, CONG. RES. SVC., ELECTRONIC VOTING IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
HISTORY AND USAGE, June 13, 2011.
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82
things all Americans must do.’’ 84 The Attending Physician has said
clearly, ‘‘I expect all of you in the workplace—any time you are in-
side, in the company of another person—that you are wearing an
approved face covering.’’ 85
Recently, and consistent with the repeated guidance of the At-
tending Physician and the CDC, the Speaker of the House an-
nounced that masks are not only ‘‘required at all times in the Hall
of the House without exception, including while Members are
under recognition,’’ and ‘‘reiterate[d] that this is a matter of order
and decorum in the Chamber under clause 2 of rule I.’’ 86 Moreover,
‘‘To be clear, Members will not recognized unless they are wearing
a mask, and recognition will be withdrawn if they remove their
mask while speaking.’’ 87 Fortunately, this announcement was
made prior to the Member noted above speaking and voting on the
floor while positive for COVID.88
Remote Voting Study
In addition to all of the other adaptations discussed above, House
Resolution 965 also directed that the ‘‘chair of the Committee on
House Administration, in consultation with the ranking minority
member, shall study the feasibility of using technology to conduct
remote voting in the House, and shall provide certification to the
House upon a determination that operable and secure technology
exists to conduct remote voting in the House.’’ 89 The Committee
followed the House’s direction by studying the issue of remote vot-
ing, including by reviewing the practices of other legislative bodies,
at both the national and state levels; reviewing available tech-
nology; and conducting a public hearing. This review is focused spe-
cifically on the question of whether it is feasible to use technology
for the House to conduct remote voting; it is not a review of the
constitutionality of remote voting, the specific situations in which
it might be employed, or individual products or platforms for re-
mote voting.90 The witnesses at that hearing—itself conducted in
a virtual online format—included a former Republican Speaker of
the House and several technology experts.91 All of the witnesses
concluded that remote voting is technologically feasible.
Accordingly, following the Committee’s review, the staff wrote a
report which summarized the review and the hearing and con-
cluded that:
84 Dr. Brian P. Monahan, COVID–19 update (Sept. 17, 2020), available at https://
cha.house.gov/coronavirus; Dr. Brian P. Monahan, Mask update (Oct. 27, 2020), available at
https://cha.house.gov/coronavirus.
85 Id.
86 Announcement by the Speaker, 116th Congress, 166 CONG. REC. H7,158 (daily ed. Dec. 15,
2020).
87 Id.
88 Supra note 31; see also Celine Castronuovo, THE HILL, South Carolina Republican tests
positive for coronavirus hours after speaking on House floor, Dec. 16, 2020, available at [https://
thehill.com/homenews/house/530602-south-carolina-republican-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-
hours-after-speaking; see also;
89 H. Res. 965, supra note 34.
90 Comm. on Rules, Authorizing Remote Voting by Proxy in the House of Representatives and
Providing for Official Remote Committee Proceedings During a Public Health Emergency Due to
a Novel Coronavirus, and For Other Purposes, H. Rep. 116–420, 116th Cong., 2d Sess. (2020).
91 Comm. on House Admin., Exploring the Feasibility and Security of Technology to Conduct
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with HEARINGS
Remote Voting in the House: Hearing before the Comm. on House Administration (2020), avail-
able at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG- 116hhrg41953/pdf/CHRG-116hhrg41953.pdf
and https://cha.house.gov/committee-activity/hearings/exploring- feasibility-and-security- tech-
nology-conduct-remote-voting.
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83
The COVID–19 pandemic has led to a devastating loss
of life in the United States and impacted every aspect of
American life. Given the clear impact that COVID–19 can
have on the ability of the federal government to conduct
legislative business and the continuing surge of the pan-
demic within the U.S., it is imperative that Congress be
able to continue its work safely and securely.
The House has already taken several steps to ensure its
continued ability to act during the crisis, including passing
legislation and conducting oversight, while also protecting
the health and safety of legislative branch staff. The au-
thorization of directed proxy voting by Members on the
Floor is one important step the House has taken to protect
the health and safety of all legislative branch staff and
Members. However, other important safety protocols, such
as voting in groups and limiting the number of Members
on the Floor at one time, have increased the amount of
time it takes to conduct Floor votes. Remote voting could
both provide additional health and safety benefits—both
for those Members and staff in Washington, D.C., and
those who may be in their districts—while improving
House efficiency.
In light of the findings described above, including wit-
ness testimony from a former Speaker of the House and
highly qualified technology experts, as well as a review of
procedures adopted by other legislative bodies, this staff
report concludes that operable and secure technology ex-
ists to permit the House to conduct remote voting, and
that such a tool could be developed to further establish its
flexibility and resiliency to operate during the pandemic.92
Accordingly, the Chairperson authorized the release of the staff
report and certified that such technology exists.93
SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE MODERNIZATION OF CONGRESS
The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (SCMC)
was established at the beginning of the 116th Congress as part of
the H. Res. 6, the House Rules package. Originally authorized for
the first session only, the SCMC was extended to the conclusion of
the 116th Congress by H. Res. 695 which, in part, amended H. Res.
6. The SCMC, co-chaired by Representative Derek Kilmer of Wash-
ington and Representative Tom Graves of Georgia, counts among
its Members the Chairperson and Ranking Member of the Com-
mittee.
The SCMC held a total of 16 hearings between March 2019 and
February 2020 and held six markups to pass a total of 97 rec-
ommendations.94
92 Comm. on House Admin., Staff Report on Feasibility of Remote Voting in the United States
House of Representatives Pursuant to House Resolution 965, § 5, 17, 116th Cong., 2d Sess. (2020),
available at https://cha.house.gov/sites/democrats.cha.house.gov/files/ 2020_Feasibility
%20of%20Remote%20Voting %20in%20the%20US_v4%20%281%29.pdf.
93 Certification Submitted Pursuant to Section 5(a) of House Resolution 965, 116th Congress,
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166 CONG. REC. H5,760 (daily ed. Nov. 16, 2020).
94 Select Comm. on the Modernization of Congress, Recommendations to Reclaim Congress’ Ar-
ticle One Powers, Boost Staff Capacity, Improve the Schedule and Calendar, Improve the Budg-
Continued
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84
The SCMC, although without legislative jurisdiction, was, with
the passage of H. Res. 756 ‘‘the first select committee in recent his-
tory to effectively turn suggested reforms into legislative action.’’ 95
Under the jurisdiction of the Committee, H. Res. 756, the Moving
Our Democracy and Congressional Operations Towards Moderniza-
tion Resolution, was brought to the House floor on March 10, 2020,
where it passed the House under suspension 395–13. H. Res. 756
included 24 of the SCMC’s recommendations.
WOMEN IN CONGRESS
In 2007, GPO published Women in Congress, 1917–2006. This
edition was authorized by H. Con. Res. 66 (107th Congress) and
was prepared under the direction of the Committee by the Office
of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk to update and re-
vise an earlier edition, Women in Congress, 1917–1990.
During the first session of the 116th Congress, the Committee
began working with the Clerk of the House’s Office of the Historian
in order to revise the 2007 edition and include the historic number
of women in the 116th Congress.
The Committee introduced H. Con. Res. 92, authorizing the
printing of a revised and updated version of the House document
entitled ‘‘Women in Congress, 1917–2006,’’ on February 26, 2020.
This concurrent resolution was then agreed to by the House on
July 30, 2020, and the Senate on September 15, 2020.
This updated version, Women in Congress, 1917–2020 was pub-
lished in December 2020. As Chairperson Lofgren wrote in the for-
ward to this new edition:
As Chairperson of the Committee on House Administra-
tion, I felt that a new edition of this remarkable story of
women in Congress was overdue. This history is a fas-
cinating story of how legislative institutions and practices
affected the women who first came here a century ago,
while highlighting how women have changed and shaped
those very institutions and practices in turn. It is a valu-
able history to all students of Congress, and all students
of history. It is a story of how Congress wrestles to truly
represent all Americans, while continuing the precedents
and procedures that are important to it, working together
to effectively meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.96
EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
Outreach and Communications
At the beginning of the 116th Congress, the Committee author-
ized a series of necessary measures to ensure the essential func-
tions of the House of Representatives. These measures included au-
thorizing the initial funding of the Members’ Representational Al-
lowance and committee funds, establishing certain reimbursement
rates and House fees, and providing guidance on up-coming caucus
and conference retreats. In cooperation with the Assistant Speak-
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et and Appropriations Process, Identify Administrative Inefficiencies and Improve Technology
and Continuity, H. Rep. 116–561, 116th Cong., 2d Sess. (2020).
95 Id.
96 Women in Congress, 1917–2020, supra, pg. ix.
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85
er’s office, the Committee supported weekly freshman office chiefs-
of-staff briefings focused on proper office operations.
Section 120 of P.L. 115–244 (132 Stat. 2897) established a sepa-
rate fund for Members of Congress to pay interns in their Wash-
ington, D.C., offices subject to regulations promulgated by the Com-
mittee which were adopted on March 12, 2019.
Through both electronic Dear Colleagues and in-person forums
the Committee briefed the House community and addressed fre-
quently asked questions on the details of the newly adopted rules
for the House Paid Internship Program. The Committee through
the Spring and Summer of 2019 continued outreach through sev-
eral initiatives.
The annual Summer Intern Lecture Series featured 42 promi-
nent speakers and was attended by over 1,200 congressional in-
terns. Additionally, working with congressional agency partners,
the Committee developed and launched a district office outreach
program to better connect district offices to resources available in
Washington, D.C. The inaugural session took place in San Jose,
California, with a subsequent event in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Committee also provided support and subject matter exper-
tise in the development and execution of the annual district direc-
tor fly-in which took place in Washington, D.C., during July 2019.
In the Fall of 2019, the Committee drafted updated regulations re-
garding advance payments made at the end of a legislative year,
which were adopted through Committee Resolution 116–13. The
Committee replicated necessary measures to ensure the functions
of the House of Representatives at the beginning of the second ses-
sion of the 116th Congress including authorizing the initial funding
of the MRA and committee funds, establishing certain reimburse-
ment rates and House fees, and providing guidance on up-coming
caucus and conference retreats.
Normal outreach and education were disrupted by the onset of
the COVID–19 pandemic. The Committee focused efforts on pro-
viding Members and staff with appropriate resources needed to
maintain office functions in a remote work environment. Through-
out the Spring and Summer of 2020, the Committee ensured Mem-
bers and staff had access and funding for safe alternative com-
muting options, tele-work resources and support, personal protec-
tive equipment, and home health screening tools. This was subse-
quently reflected in the adoption of Committee Resolution 116–24
on November 10, 2020. In the Fall of 2020, the Committee turned
its attention to the development and support of both contested elec-
tions training and the New Member Orientation Program. The
Committee continues to plan for the necessary measures that must
be executed at the beginning of the 117th Congress ensuring the
House of Representatives has resources needed to perform official
duties.
New Member Orientation
The Committee is responsible for planning and executing the
New Member Orientation (NMO) program, along with the travel
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and logistics for newly-elected Members of Congress, designated
aides, and, for the first time, paid transition aides. The program
was held in two phases: November 12, 2020–November 21, 2020
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and November 29, 2020–December 5, 2020. At 17 days, this was
the longest NMO in the history of the House of Representatives.
Over the course of NMO, Members-elect, along with their aides,
participated in more than 20 bipartisan briefings. These briefings
were provided by current Members, senior staff, House Officers, in-
stitutional staff and others. Programming included: Operating a
Congressional Office During the COVID–19 Pandemic; Physical
and Cyber Security; Best Practices for Hiring Staff; Office Setup,
the Members Representational Allowance and Leases; Introduction
to the House Floor; Legal Liabilities; Responsibilities as an Em-
ployer; Workplace Rights and Responsibilities; Effective Con-
stituent Services; Connecting the D.C. Office to the District Office;
Legislative Process; Drafting Legislation; Understanding the House
Floor and Committees; Office Lottery Overviews; Ethics Training;
Decorum and Bipartisanship; Advice from Current Freshmen Mem-
bers; Overview of Public Health Issues for the 117th Congress; Eco-
nomic Impacts of COVID–19; Overview of the Federal Budget Proc-
ess; and Congress and the Courts.
In addition to participating in the briefings described above,
aides participated in programming specifically designed for staff.
This programming included the following briefings: November to
January Transition Timetable; Creating a Diverse and Inclusive
Workplace; Managing Your Workforce During the Pandemic; and
Office Structure and Business Processes.
As referenced above, aide briefings were provided both to des-
ignated aides and the newly authorized paid transition aides. Paid
transition aides were a recommendation of the Select Committee on
Modernization implemented by the Chief Administrative Officer in
coordination with the committee. Transition aides are House em-
ployees, paid by the Chief Administrative Officer, dedicated to as-
sisting Members-elect with office setup tasks. They are paid by the
Chief Administrative Officer and act as the primary liaison be-
tween Members-elect and House support offices. In total, 52 transi-
tion aides participated in NMO.
Notably, NMO took place amid the COVID–19 pandemic, at a
time when cases across the nation were spiking. As such, the com-
mittee consulted extensively with the Office of Attending Physician
to ensure all committee-planned NMO activities were conducted
safely. All bipartisan committee-planned briefings and other activi-
ties were streamed online via Webex, allowing for completely vir-
tual participation for Members and presenters who wished to at-
tend remotely.
The Committee spearheaded a new initiative, one recommended
by the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress to re-
quire presentations, along with myriad videos from House Officers
and institutional partners be recorded and uploaded to a dedicated
website so that Members and aides could access them at their con-
venience. This initiative will begin to build an easily-accessible
knowledge base for Members and staff.
For Members-elect participating in person, the Capitol Visitor
Center Congressional Auditorium was configured such that seats
for both Members-elect and participants were appropriately
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distanced. To ensure individuals were appropriately spaced, aides
viewed all presentations via simulcast across three additional
rooms within the Capitol Visitor Center. In addition, hotel accom-
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modations, meals and transportation provided under direction of
the committee were all facilitated pursuant to relevant direction
and guidance from the Office of Attending Physician.
Congressional Summer Intern Lecture Series
The Congressional Summer Intern Lecture Series is a bipartisan,
bicameral effort coordinated annually by the Committee on House
Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Adminis-
tration. Started by former Representatives Gerald Ford and Donald
Rumsfeld in the 1960s, both committees extend invitations, mostly
to current and former government and military officials, policy ex-
perts, and media personalities, to speak to congressional interns.
The First and Second Session Lectures were conducted in con-
trasting manners due to the COVID–19 pandemic.
The First Session Lecture series was conducted in the traditional
manner. A total of 42 lectures were held over the seven-week pe-
riod between June 10, 2019, and July 26, 2019. Notable lectures
from the 2019 Lecture Series included the Director of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert R. Redfield; the
Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi; House Republican Leader,
Kevin McCarthy; House Minority Whip, Steve Scalise; political
commentator and former talk show host, Greta Van Susteren; polit-
ical journalists Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer; the Librarian of
Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden; NASA Administrator, Jim
Bridenstine; and United States Department of Transportation Sec-
retary, Elaine L. Chao.
Due to the COVID–19 pandemic, the Second Session Lecture Se-
ries was held virtually for the first time. In order to ensure the
health, safety and security of this unique intern experience, less in-
vites were extended. The virtual experience allowed for Interns and
Member’s to partake in a private, off the record lecture series,
while maintaining their health and safety. A total of 30 lectures
were held over a five-week period between June 30, 2020, and July
31, 2020, with a lecture nearly every day during that time. Notable
speakers from this year’s series included the Speaker of the House,
Nancy Pelosi; the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden; and
several House and Senate Chairs and Members.
HOUSE PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Pursuant to section 120 of Public Law 115–244, the Energy and
Water, Legislative Branch, and Military and Veterans Affairs Ap-
propriations Act, 2019 and H. Rept. 115–929, the Conference Re-
port to accompany H.R. 5895, on March 12, 2019, the Committee
on House Administration adopted Committee Resolution 116–8 pro-
viding up to $20,000 per Member office for the sole purpose of paid
internships in Washington, D.C., known as the House Paid Intern-
ship Program. The paid internship positions authorized under this
provision did not count against the number of employees who may
be employed by a Member of the House under 2 U.S.C. § 5321.
Subsequently, on May 5, 2020, the Committee adopted Com-
mittee Resolution 116–19 authorizing $25,000 per Member office
for interns participating in this program and allowing interns to be
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based in the Washington, D.C., or a Member’s district office. These
interns continue to not count against the Member’s employee staff
ceiling. Additionally, in the event of a vacancy in office, the Com-
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mittee authorized amounts to be made available to the succeeding
Member on a prorated basis as determined by the Committee. Fur-
thermore, the Committee directed the CAO to report in the State-
ment of Disbursements payments from the applicable House ac-
counts in a manner that accurately reflects the employing office of
individuals employed through the House Paid Internship Program.
The CAO was also directed to develop a payroll authorization form
for this program and include program participants on the monthly
payroll certification of the Member office that has authorized the
internship. Finally, the CAO was directed to provide offices a
monthly update on the balance of their allotment and submit a
semiannual report to the Committee on both total usage of the au-
thorization by Member offices and usage by Washington, D.C., and
district offices.
COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MEETINGS
Hearings
Listening Session on Voting Rights and Elections in
Brownsville, Texas
Full Committee
February 4, 2019
Witnesses:
Mr. Rolando Rios, Esq.; Mr. George Korbel, Esq.; Mr. Matthew
McCarthy, ACLU Foundation of Texas; Mr. Chad Dunn, Esq.; and
Ms. Mimi Marziani, Esq., President, Texas Civil Rights Project
For the People: Our American Democracy
Full Committee
February 14, 2019
Witnesses:
Chiraag Bains, Director of Legal Strategies, Demos; Wendy
Weiser; Director, Democracy Program, Brennan Center for Justice
at NYU School of Law; Fred Wertheimer, President, Democracy 21;
The Honorable Kim Wyman, Secretary of State, State of Wash-
ington; Panel two: Alejandro Rangel-Lopez, Student; Peter Earle,
Wisconsin Civil Rights Trial Lawyer; Brandon A. Jessup, Data
Science and Information Systems Professional; Executive Director,
Michigan Forward; and David Keating, President, Institute For
Free Speech
Voting Rights and Election Administration in Georgia
Subcommittee on Elections—Field Hearing, Atlanta, Georgia
February 19, 2019
Witnesses:
Stacey Abrams, CEO and Founder, Fair Fight Action; Panel 2:
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Gilda Daniels, Director of Litigation, Advancement Project; Sean
Young, Legal Director, Georgia ACLU; Stacey Hopkins, Voter, Ful-
ton County GA; and Cliff Albright, Cofounder, Black Votes Matter.
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Committee Funding for the 116th Congress
Full Committee
March 12, 2019
Witnesses:
Hon. Elijah E. Cummings, Chairman, Committee on Oversight
and Reform, U.S. House of Representatives; and Hon. Jim Jordan,
Ranking Member, Committee on Oversight and Reform, U.S. House
of Representatives.
House Officer Priorities for 2019 and Beyond
Full Committee
April 9, 2019
Witnesses:
Hon. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representa-
tives; Hon. Paul D. Irving, Sergeant at Arms, U.S. House of Rep-
resentatives; Hon. Philip G. Kiko, Chief Administrative Officer,
U.S. House of Representatives; and Hon. Michael T. Ptasienski, In-
spector General, U.S. House of Representatives.
Voting Rights and Election Administration in the Dakotas
Subcommittee on Elections—Field Hearing, Fort Yates, North Da-
kota
April 16, 2019
Witnesses:
Ms. Alysia LaCounte, General Counsel, on behalf of Turtle
Mountain Band of Chippewa; Ms. Myra Pearson, Chairwoman,
Spirit Lake Tribe; Mr. Charles Walker, Councilman at Large, on
behalf of Standing Rock Sioux Tribe; Mr. Roger White Owl Chief
Executive Officer, on behalf of Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation;
Ms. Ruth Buffalo, Representative, North Dakota House of Rep-
resentatives; Ms. Jacqueline De León, Staff Attorney, Native Amer-
ican Rights Fund; Ms. Prairie Rose Seminole Community Orga-
nizer; Ms. Donita Loudner, former Buffalo County Commissioner;
Ms. Peri Pourier, Representative, South Dakota House of Rep-
resentatives; and Mr. O.J. Semans Sr., Co-Executive Director, Four
Directions, Inc.
Voting Rights and Election Administration in North Caro-
lina
Subcommittee on Elections—Field Hearing, Weldon, North Caro-
lina
April 18, 2019
Witnesses:
Dr. William Barber II, President and Senior Lecturer, Repairers
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of the Breach; Hon. Dan Blue, Minority Leader, North Carolina
Senate; Mr. Irving L. Joyner, Professor of Law, North Carolina
Central University School of Law; Mr. Tomas Lopez, Executive Di-
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rector, Democracy North Carolina; Ms. Caitlin Swain, Co-Director,
Forward Justice; and Ms. Patricia Timmons-Goodson, Vice-Chair-
woman, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Voting Rights and Election Administration in Ohio
Subcommittee on Elections—Field Hearing, Cleveland, Ohio
April 25, 2019
Witnesses:
Ms. Naila Awan, Senior Counsel, Demos; Mr. Mike Brickner,
Ohio State Director, All Voting is Local; Ms. Inajo D. Chappell,
Member, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections; Mr. Daniel Ortiz,
Outreach Director, Policy Matters Ohio; Mr. Tom Roberts, Presi-
dent, Ohio Conference of the NAACP; and Ms. Elaine Tso, Interim
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Asian Services in Action
Voting Rights and Election Administration in Florida
Subcommittee on Elections—Field Hearing, Fort Lauderdale, Flor-
ida
May 6, 2019
Witnesses:
Ms. Marleine Bastien, Founder and Executive Director, Fanm
Ayisyen Nan Miymi, Inc.; Ms. Nancy Batista, Florida State Direc-
tor, Mi Familia Vota; Mr. Andrew Gillum, Chair, Forward Florida;
Ms. Anjenys Gonzalez-Eilert, Executive Director, Common Cause
Florida; Mr. Juan Cartagena, President and Senior Counsel, Latino
Justice PRL DEF; Ms. Judith Browne Dianis, Executive Director,
Advancement Project; Ms. Karen Wilkerson, League of Women Vot-
ers of Florida, and Mr. Logan Churchwell; Communication and Re-
search Director, Public Interest Legal Foundation
Election Security
Full Committee
May 8, 2019
Witnesses:
Hon. Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, State of Michigan; Mr.
Joseph L. Hall, Chief Technologist and Director, Center for Democ-
racy and Technology; Hon. John Merrill, Secretary of State, State
of Alabama; Mr. Larry Norden, Deputy Director, Brennan Center’s
Democracy Program; and Ms. Marian Schneider, President,
Verified Voting Foundation.
Voting Rights and Election Administration in Alabama
Subcommittee on Elections—Field Hearing, Birmingham, Alabama
May 13, 2019
Witnesses:
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Mr. James Blacksher, Attorney; Ms. Jenny Carroll, Professor of
Law, University of Alabama Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. School of
Law; Mr. Ernest Montgomery, Council Member, Calera City Coun-
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cil; Ms. Nancy Abudu, Deputy Legal Director, Voting Rights,
Southern Poverty Law Center; Mr. Scott Douglas, Executive Direc-
tor, Greater Birmingham Ministries; Ms. Isabel Rubio, Executive
Director, Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama; and Mr. Benard
Simelton Sr., President, Alabama Conference of the NAACP.
Oversight of the Election Assistance Commission
Full Committee
May 21, 2019
Witnesses:
Hon. Thomas Hicks, Commissioner, Election Assistance Commis-
sion; Hon. Benjamin Hovland, Commissioner Vice Chair, Election
Assistance Commission; Hon. Christy McCormick, Commissioner
and Chairwoman, Election Assistance Commission; and Hon. Don
Palmer, Commissioner, Election Assistance Commission.
Oversight of the Congressional Research Service
Full Committee
June 20, 2019
Witnesses:
Mary B. Mazanec, Director, Congressional Research Service; and
Susan Thaul, Ph.D., President, Congressional Research Employees
Association
Oversight of the United States Capitol Police
Full Committee
July 16, 2019
Witnesses:
Hon. Paul D. Irving, Sergeant at Arms, U.S. House of Represent-
atives; Mr. Steven A. Sund, Chief of Police, United States Capitol
Police; Mr. Michael A. Bolton, Inspector General, United States
Capitol Police; and Mr. Gus Papathanasiou, Chairman, U.S. Cap-
itol Police Labor Committee.
Oversight of the Renovations of the Cannon House Office
Building
Full Committee
September 10, 2019
Witnesses:
Mr. Brian A. Abt, Chief Executive Officer, Mid Atlantic Region,
Clark Construction, LLC., Washington, D.C.; Mr. Thomas J. Car-
roll III, Acting Architect of the Capitol, Washington, D.C.; Mr.
Terrell Dorn Managing Director, Infrastructure Operations, Gov-
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ernment Accountability Office, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Chris-
topher P. Failla, Architect of the Capitol Inspector General, Wash-
ington, D.C.
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Oversight of the Smithsonian Institution
Full Committee
September 18, 2019
Witnesses:
Mr. Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D.C.; and Ms. Cathy L. Helm, Inspector General,
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
Voting Rights and Election Administration in Arizona
Subcommittee on Elections—Field Hearing, Phoenix, Arizona
October 1, 2019
Witnesses:
Ms. Montserrat Arredondo, One Arizona; Ms. Patricia Ferguson-
Bohnee, Professor of Law, Indian Legal Clinic, ASU Law School;
Mr. Alex Gulotta, Arizona State Director, All Voting Is Local; Mr.
Darrell Hill, Policy Director, ACLU of Arizona; The Honorable Ste-
phen Roe Lewis, Governor, Gila River Indian Community; The
Honorable Jonathan Nez, President, The Navajo Nation; The Hon-
orable Michelle Ugenti-Rita, State Senator, State Senate of Ari-
zona; and Ms. Lorena C. Van Assche, Arizona State Advisory Com-
mittee, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
Voting Rights and Election Administration in America
Subcommittee on Elections
October 17, 2019
Witnesses:
Ms. Barbara Arnwine, National Co-Chair, National Commission
for Voter Justice; Ms. Michelle Bishop, Voting Rights Specialist,
National Disability Rights Network; Ms. Kristen Clarke, President
& Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under
Law; Ms. Hannah Fried, Director, All Voting Is Local; Mr. Dale Ho,
Director, Voting Rights Project; Ms. Virginia Kase, Chief Executive
Officer, League of Women Voters; The Honorable Catherine E.
Lhamon, Chair, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; Ms. Denise Lie-
berman, Senior Attorney & Program Director, Power & Democracy,
Advancement Project; Ms. Elena Nunez, Director of State Oper-
ations & Ballot Measure Strategies, Common Cause; Mr. Deuel
Ross, Senior Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense Fund; Mr. Thomas
Saenz, President & General Counsel, MALDEF; Mr. Arturo Vargas,
Chief Executive Officer, NALEO Educational Fund; Mr. Michael
Waldman, President, Brennan Center for Justice; Ms. Brenda
Wright, Senior Advisor for Legal Strategies, Demos; and Mr. John
C. Yang, President & Executive Director, Asian Americans Advanc-
ing Justice
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Member Day: Committee on House Administration
Full Committee
November 21, 2019
Witnesses:
Hon. Derek Kilmer, Member of Congress, Washington D.C; Hon.
Tom Graves, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.; Hon. Dean
Phillips, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.; Hon. Tom Rice,
Member of Congress, Washington D.C.; Hon. Mark Takano, Mem-
ber of Congress, Washington D.C,. Hon. Pete Olson, Member of
Congress, Washington D.C.; Hon. Justin Amash, Member of Con-
gress, Washington D.C., Statement for the Record; Hon. Tony
Cárdenas, Member of Congress, Washington D.C., Statement for
the Record; Hon. Anna G. Eshoo, Member of Congress, Washington
D.C., Statement for the Record; Hon. Brian K. Fitzpatrick, Member
of Congress, Washington D.C., Statement for the Record; Hon.
Carol D. Miller, Member of Congress, Washington D.C., Statement
for the Record; Hon. Seth Moulton, Member of Congress, Wash-
ington D.C., Statement for the Record; Hon. Stacey E. Plaskett,
Member of Congress, Washington D.C., Statement for the Record;
Hon. José E. Serrano, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.,
Statement for the Record; and Hon. Haley M. Stevens, Member of
Congress, Washington D.C., Statement for the Record.
2020 Election Security-Perspectives from Voting System
Vendors and Experts
Full Committee
January 9, 2020
Witnesses:
Mr. Matt Blaze, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law
Center, Washington, D.C.; Mr. Tom Burt, President and CEO, Elec-
tion Systems & Software, Omaha, NE; Mr. Mike Gianasi, County
Clerk and Recorder, Christian County of Illinois, Taylorville, Illi-
nois; Dr. Juan Gilbert, Andrew Banks Family Preeminence En-
dowed Professor & Chair, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL;
Ms. Liz Howard, Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice, Washington,
D.C.; Ms. Julie Mathis, President and CEO, Hart InterCivic, Aus-
tin, TX; The Honorable Donald Palmer, Commissioner, Election As-
sistance Commission, Silver Spring, Maryland; Mr. John Poulos,
President and CEO, Dominion Voting Systems, Denver, CO; and
Rev. T. Anthony Spearman, President, North Carolina NAACP,
Greensboro, North Carolina
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Oversight of the Smithsonian Institution: Opportunities for
Growth by Honoring Latino Americans and Asian Pa-
cific Americans
Full Committee
February 5, 2020
Witnesses:
Hon. José E. Serrano, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.;
Hon. Will Hurd, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.; Hon.
Grace Meng, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.; Mr. Lonnie G.
Bunch III, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.;
Dr. Beth Lew-Williams, Associate Professor of History, Princeton
University, Princeton, New Jersey; Mr. Henry Munoz, Chair, Na-
tional Museum of the American Latino Commission, Washington,
D.C.; Dr. Eric Petersen, Specialist in American National Govern-
ment, Congressional Research Service, Washington, D.C.; and Ms.
Lisa Sasaki, Director, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center,
Washington, D.C.
Native American Voting Rights: Exploring Barriers and So-
lutions
Subcommittee on Elections
February 11, 2020
Witnesses:
Ms. Jacqueline De Leon, Staff Attorney, Native American Rights
Fund, Boulder, CO; Mrs. Patricia Ferguson-Bohnee, Director, In-
dian Legal Clinic, Sandra Day O’ Connor College of Law, Phoenix,
AZ; Mr. Leonard Forsman, Chairman, Suquamish Tribe,
Suquamish, WA; The Honorable Ben Ray Luján, Member of Con-
gress, Washington D.C.; Ms. Doreen McPaul, Attorney General,
Navajo Nation; Mr. Elvis Norquay, Member, Turtle Mountain Res-
ervation, Rolla, ND; and Ms. Amber Torres, Chairperson, Walker
River Paiute Tribe
Oversight of The Government Publishing Office
Full Committee
March 3, 2020
Witnesses:
Mr. Hugh Halpern, Director, Government Publishing Office,
Washington, D.C.; Ms. Laurie Hall, Superintendent of Documents,
Government Publishing Office, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Michael
P. Leary, Inspector General, Government Publishing Office, Wash-
ington, D.C.
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The Impact of COVID–19 on Voting Rights and Election Ad-
ministration: Ensuring Safe and Fair Elections
Subcommittee on Elections
June 11, 2020
Witnesses:
Hon. Marcy Kaptur, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.; Hon.
Gwen Moore, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.; Ms. Kristen
Clarke, President & Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for
Civil Rights Under Law; Mr. Mark Dimondstein, President, Amer-
ican Postal Workers Union; Ms. Sherrilyn Ifill, President & Direc-
tor—Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.; Mr.
Lawrence Norden, Director, Election Reform, Democracy, Brennan
Center for Justice; Hon. R. Kyle Ardoin, Secretary of State, State
of Louisiana; and Hon. John H. Merrill, Secretary of State, State
of Alabama
Exploring the Feasibility and Security of Technology to
Conduct Remote Voting in the House
Full Committee
July 17, 2020
Witnesses:
Hon. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representa-
tives; William Crowell, Partner, Alsop Louie Partners; Newt Ging-
rich, Former Speaker of the House; Jon Green, Vice President and
Chief Security Technologist, Aruba Networks; Dr. Ronald L. Rivest,
Institute Professor, MIT Computer Science and Artifical Intel-
ligence Lab; Dr. Aviel Rubin, Professor and Technical Director, The
Johns Hopkins University Information Security Institute; and Dr.
David Wagner, Professor, Computer Science Division, University of
California, Berkeley
Voting Rights and Election Administration in the U.S. Vir-
gin Islands and Other Territories
Subcommittee on Elections
July 28, 2020
Witnesses:
Hon. Stacey E. Plaskett, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.;
Hon. Jenniffer González-Colón, Member of Congress, Washington
D.C.; Hon. Michael F. Q. San Nicolas, Member of Congress, Wash-
ington D.C.; Hon. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Member of Con-
gress, Washington D.C.; Mr. Gerard Emanuel, Retired Educator;
Dr. Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, President, League of Women Voters of
the Virgin Islands; and Neil Weare, President and Founder, Equal-
ly American Legal Defense & Education Fund
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Voting Safely in a Pandemic
Full Committee
August 28, 2020
Witnesses:
Hon. Donald L. Palmer, Commissioner, U.S. Election Assistance
Commission; Hon. Alex Padilla, Secretary of State, State of Cali-
fornia; Ms. Julie Wise, King County Director of Elections, State of
Washington; Ms. Vanita Gupta, President and Chief Executive Of-
ficer, The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights; and
Ms. Amber McReynolds, Chief Executive Officer, National Vote at
Home Institute
Voting Rights and Election Administration: Combatting Mis-
information in the 2020 Election
Subcommittee on Elections
October 6, 2020
Witnesses:
Hon. Benjamin Hovland, Commissioner, U.S. Election Assistance
Commission; Hon. Jena Griswold, Secretary of State, State of Colo-
rado; Ms. Inajo Davis Chappell, Member, Board of Elections, Cuya-
hoga County, Ohio; and Mr. Spencer Overton, President, Joint Cen-
ter for Political and Economic Studies
Meetings
Markup of H.R. 1 or a related measure, and for other pur-
poses
February 26, 2020
Markup of Committee Resolution 116–08
March 12, 2019
Markup of H. Res. 245 and Committee Resolution 116–09
March 25, 2019
Markup of H.R. 2722, the SAFE Act
June 21, 2019
Markup of H.R. 4617 Stopping Harmful Interference In Elec-
tions For A Lasting Democracy Act (SHIELD Act)
October 16, 2019
Markup of H.R. 1980
November 12, 2019
COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS
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The Committee passed 24 resolutions over the course of the
116th Congress. These resolutions are reprinted in Appendix I—
Committee Resolutions.
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MINORITY VIEWS
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OPERATIONS
During the 116th Congress, the Committee Republican and Ma-
jority staffs of the Committee on House Administration (the Com-
mittee) worked on several bipartisan issues impacting Legislative
Branch operations. The Committee Republicans appreciate the bi-
partisan efforts to:
• Establish ‘‘subject-specific’’ re-occurring oversight meetings
to address: Copyright IT Modernization, Cannon House Office
Building Renovation, District Office Outreach, and improving
the services offered by House Information Resources.
• Direct the United States Capitol Police and encourage the
Fraternal Order of Police to start collective bargaining agree-
ment negotiations.
• Identify and work to confirm a permanent agency head for
the Government Publishing Office, which had gone without a
permanent director for over two years.
• Identify and work to confirm a permanent agency head for
the Architect of the Capitol
• Conduct several oversight hearings including: Priorities for
House Officers, United States Capitol Police, Congressional Re-
search Service, Cannon House Office Building Renovation,
Smithsonian Institute, and Government Publishing Office.
• Update the Member and Committee Handbooks to address
advanced payments and incorporate changes necessitated by
the COVID–19 pandemic.
• Establish the SPF Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Hor-
ton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program.
• Implement the first ever initiative to provide a paid transi-
tion aide to member-elects of the 117th Congress.
• Direct the CAO to revise the existing Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) with the General Services Administration
covering district office leases and services.
• Provide oversight of the Library of Congress’s Visitor Ex-
perience project.
• Provide oversight of the Capitol Visitor Center’s re-fresh of
Exhibition Hall.
CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
The hearing held by the Committee focusing on the Congres-
sional Research Service (CRS) was a productive first step in ad-
dressing several long-term management issues at CRS. The Com-
mittee Republicans were hopeful that the hearing would be a start-
ing point in addressing the challenges CRS faces. Unfortunately,
that never occurred, and Committee Republicans believe most of
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the issues raised at the hearing still have not been addressed.
(167)
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Committee Republicans look forward to working together in a bi-
partisan way to conduct proper oversight the Congressional Re-
search Service in the 117th Congress.
SHARED EMPLOYEES
The Committee Republicans were optimistic that the Majority
would be willing partners to fully implement the necessary controls
over shared employees that had been developed in the 115th Con-
gress to address identified vulnerabilities. That implementation
has not occurred. To make matters more frustrating, it appears the
Majority put more effort into approving a significant six-figure set-
tlement with several former shared employees, than working to-
gether to implement needed controls over shared employees and ex-
isting vulnerabilities.
UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE
The Committee Republicans introduced the Capitol Police Ad-
vancement Act of 2020. This piece of legislation calls to increase
transparency of the department and provide authorities needed to
remove bad actors from the police force. While much of the debate
around policing in America was focused on local and state police
departments, the Committee felt it was important to advocate for
policy changes that would address some longstanding issues on the
Capitol campus. Furthermore, Committee Republicans support the
regional reorganization of the department to better protect Mem-
bers and staff in the districts. This initiative has been approved by
the Capitol Police Board and hopefully the Majority will support
implementation.
NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICES HEADQUARTERS
The Committee Republicans want to see more of an effort put
into upgrading programs within the National Library Services
(NLS), the most impactful step to that end is for Congress to find
a permanent long-term headquarters. A proposal that has support
from the Library of Congress, NLS, Senate, and Committee Repub-
licans has been pending approval with the Majority of the Com-
mittee for over a year.
HOUSE COMMISSION ON CONGRESSIONAL MAILING STANDARDS
The Committee Republicans would like to associate themselves
with the following portion of the Majorities Committee Activity Re-
port and emphasize the gratitude to Franking Commission Chair-
woman Susan Davis and Ranking Member Bryan Steil:
‘‘The House Commission on Congressional Mailing
Standards, commonly known as the Franking Commission,
is responsible for issuing regulations governing the proper
use of official communications resources, providing advice
and counsel to Members and committees through advisory
opinions, and hearing formal complaints against Members
who have allegedly violated relevant law and regulations.
During this Congress, and in coordination with the Select
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Committee on the Modernization of Congress, the Commis-
sion revised the regulations on the use of the official com-
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169
munications resources to more reasonably reflect the reali-
ties of contemporary digital communications. These
changes will also simultaneously provide more trans-
parency to the public and more flexibility for Members.’’
SELECT COMMITTEE ON MODERNIZATION OF CONGRESS
The Select Committee on Modernization (SCMC), established at
the beginning of the 116th Congress for the first session and later
extended for the entire Congress. The SCMC passed at total of 97
recommendations. The recommendations ranged from way to im-
prove communication with constituents, additional human resource
support for offices, efforts to promote bipartisanship, and reimaging
how the House uses information technology. Many of the rec-
ommendations are in the process of being implemented or are al-
ready in place, the benefits already being realized by offices. The
117th Congress provides an enormous opportunity to build on this
work through the Committee prioritizing which additional rec-
ommendations should be implemented. The Committee Republicans
are supportive of the SCMC being authorized for the 117th Con-
gress and look forward to collaborating with them again.
COVID–19 RESPONSE
As the global pandemic began to impact Congressional operations
there was a real spirit of bipartisanship to address the immediate
needs of the House. The initial effort to transition thousands of
staff to telework posture was a monumental task that went ex-
tremely well. Additionally, there was collaboration on establishing
supply lines, initial procurements and distribution of personal pro-
tection equipment, both in DC and districts. An internal COVID
taskforce was created consisting of Congressional support agencies,
Leadership staff from both sides, and staff from both sides of the
Committee. For many weeks the taskforce met daily, these con-
versations were helpful often resulting in resolution on timely
issues. As it became apparent that the pandemic was going to have
a lengthy impact on operations; the Committee Republicans began
to advocate for the development of a transparent, comprehensive
plan to balance the health and safety of our workforce with the
Constitutionally required work of the House. That plan should
have been based in science and medical advice, developed in a bi-
partisan way, and made available to everyone. It should have ad-
dressed a comprehensive health monitoring program including test-
ing, reconfiguring of multi-use space to accommodate social
distancing requirements, consistent occupancy limits and a way to
enforcement them, and clearly established phases that would drive
the institution’s operating posture.
Instead what was developed at the Majority’s direction was a
patchwork of confusing guidance, inconsistent messaging, and the
appearance that decisions that should be made by medical profes-
sionals were instead being driven by political conveniences. For the
final seven months of the 116th Congress the Majority of the Com-
mittee has effectively abdicated the spirit of bipartisanship that
has been the hallmark of the Committee for many years when ad-
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dressing House operations. Despite the unjustified mode of oper-
ation by the Majority, the Committee Republicans hope the spirit
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170
of bipartisanship will return in the 117th Congress and continue to
stand ready to work together.
ELECTIONS
Throughout the 116th Congress there was fundamental dif-
ference on election policy between Committee Republicans and the
Majority. The 116th Congress started with H.R. 1 and its provi-
sions that would have mandated a Federal takeover of elections, le-
galized ballot harvesting nationwide, funded Congressional cam-
paigns with taxpayer dollars, limited free speech, and further po-
liticized the Federal Election Commission. After the hyper-partisan
H.R. 1 failed to become law, the Committee Republicans offered
several commonsense election related bills including the Election
Security Assistance Act and the Honest Elections Act.
ELECTION OBSERVER PROGRAM
The Committee Republicans wanted to highlight the importance
of the Election Observer Program. The program has provided Com-
mittee Republicans with an incredible amount of data and estab-
lished strong relationships and communication with key outside
partners that will be critical to our efforts to fight back in this con-
tested election fight. A few highlights from this year’s program:
• Our team recruited and trained more than 70 Republican
House staffers to serve as official election observers.
• Through the program, we deployed observers to 19 dis-
tricts across the countrywho are observing to ensure ballots in
the closest House races are being processed fairly and counted
accurately.
• In the weeks following the election, we dedicated signifi-
cant resources to observation in Allegheny Co., PA, south-
western Iowa, Gwinnett Co., GA, Clark County, NV, Illinois,
Utah, New York, and California, among others. As counting
and other post-election work progressed, we remained on the
groundto closely monitor races.
• We raised issues with access for observers, segregation of
ballots, glitches with voting machines, processes for provisional
ballots, inventory of memory cards, and others. A comprehen-
sive analysis on election administration issues will be forth-
coming in the 117th Congress.
• The Committee also conducted significant time fact-finding
in various States prior to the general election to hear directly
from local election administrators on the challenges they face.
This work will help inform Committee Republicans develop
policy moving forward.
RODNEY DAVIS
Ranking Member.
Æ
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File and source
- File
- CRPT_crpt-116hrpt707_crpt-116hrpt707.pdf
- Size
- 5,171,680 bytes
- SHA-256
- c2bcd85daeb0757c03dd9719ac6a5b1723c1a3d899e67d5f23eb6ace52f6b7e9
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov