BPC’s Grumet: Select Committee Recommendations Will Foster Collaboration, Civility

Washington, DC – Bipartisan Policy Center President Jason Grumet released the following statement regarding today’s approval of a third set of recommendations from the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress:

“Despite impeachment, Congress has recently shown that there is still a willingness and ability to govern a divided country. In addition to bipartisan agreements on funding the government, trade, and expanding paid parental leave, critical progress continues to be made by the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. Last week, the Modernization Committee’s members introduced legislation with nearly 30 proposals to make the House a more effective institution. And today, the committee approved another set of recommendations, designed to encourage collaboration and bipartisanship.”

The Modernization Committee today unanimously approved 16 recommendations aimed at fostering cross-party collaboration and civility, instituting administrative efficiencies, and improving constituent communication. Last week, the committee introduced legislation to implement 29 of their previous recommendations.

“The Modernization Committee itself has been a model for how congressional committees should function,” Grumet added. “Through bipartisan discussions, a shared understanding of facts, and genuine deliberation and debate, the committee has produced three extensive sets of recommendations for fixing Congress in a short period of time. The committee’s demonstration of collaboration and competence sets an example for the rest of the Congress.”

In September, Grumet testified before the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress during a hearing entitled “Promoting Civility and Building a More Collaborative Congress.” During his testimony, Grumet outlined three critical elements need for Congress to bolster the institution’s ability to overcome dysfunction and foster bipartisanship: building trust, improving incentives for collaboration, and reforming rules that have weakened its deliberative capacity.