The Countdown to a New Congress is On: Here’s How We Can Set Up the 116th Congress for Success

The bad news: Only 17% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing.

The good news: We’re on the cusp of a new Congress where we can make a functioning government a reality!

How do we reform Congress to make it work better for the American people? The Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Congress by addressing five core areas:

1. Enable bipartisan cooperation and consensus building to achieve legislative results. As it stands, the country is polarized, and excessive partisan divisions inhibit the passage of important legislation.
2. Empower congressional committees which are key to bipartisan bridge-building. Committees are logical places to spark bipartisanship — at the beginning of the legislative process — and where lawmakers can develop a stake in the success of legislation to address the people’s interests.
3. Ensure robust amendment processes. A robust amendment process will ensure that bills have been thoroughly debated, the best possible legislation is crafted on a bipartisan basis, and lawmakers have the opportunity to include measures that will encourage them to support the final bill.
4. Pass budgets and complete funding bills on time. This will make Congress more effective by setting priorities, staying on schedule, and ensuring that all agencies are appropriated funded in a timely way.
5. Provide effective and regular oversight of federal programs. The government must constantly and consistently analyze federal programs to ensure they are meeting their goals and addressing needs.

But we can’t make this new Congress a reality without H.Con. Res. 28, a bipartisan resolution introduced by Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) that would include the creation of this new joint committee in the package of rules that will be agreed upon to govern the 116^th Congress. The Joint Committee is an investment in America’s future, and its positive impacts will last for decades.  That’s why now, more than ever, it’s urgent to demand your representative and senators join the growing number of lawmakers in Washington calling for the creation of this vital committee.