This former staffer / #govTech nerd is QUITE impressed with the Hose Legislative Branch Approps bill...
A few highlights (thread) -->
(Non-Congress nerds may want to mute)
A few highlights (thread) -->
(Non-Congress nerds may want to mute)
Link to @AppropsDems @houseappropsgop #LegBranch committee report here: appropriations.house.gov/sites/democrat… 
$25 million increase in Members' Representational allowances + study on potentially lifting the cap on staff salaries & numbers
If you need a refresher on why that is important, see this from @ZacharyGraves: fedsoc.org/commentary/fed…
If you need a refresher on why that is important, see this from @ZacharyGraves: fedsoc.org/commentary/fed…
Funding for paying interns is flat BUT committee notes that is due to social distancing requirements that limit intern access this year.
Folks like @payourinterns & @C2C_DC have been working hard on this!
Folks like @payourinterns & @C2C_DC have been working hard on this!
LOTS of IT language & reports requested on
- cloud deployments
- digital signatures
- digital casework & digital privacy release
- additional voting board displays
- tech to protect members from fraud & abuse online
- Congress-wide automated committee roll call voting system
- cloud deployments
- digital signatures
- digital casework & digital privacy release
- additional voting board displays
- tech to protect members from fraud & abuse online
- Congress-wide automated committee roll call voting system
- Requesting better data on salary & benefits & potentially mandating participation (last year only 50% of offices participated)
- exploring possible tuition remission program
- Urging House-wide FMLA policy
- exploring possible tuition remission program
- Urging House-wide FMLA policy
DATA:
- Report on CBO's access to federal data
- Support continued standardization and availability of legislative data (including potential for providing hyperlinks to Congressional Record from floor proceeding videos on Congress.gov)
- Report on CBO's access to federal data
- Support continued standardization and availability of legislative data (including potential for providing hyperlinks to Congressional Record from floor proceeding videos on Congress.gov)
Requests reports from CAO on list of COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) systems (& comparative advantages) that can be easily integrated w/House systems
Encourages pilot of “baseline technology” for new Member offices
Encourages pilot of “baseline technology” for new Member offices
Other tidbits:
- Investments in childcare 4 Capitol complex
- Explore ways to donate unused food to charities
- Study on "Green the Capitol" reducing carbon footprint, eliminate single-use plastic
- Explore feasibility & cost of free hygiene products in House bathrooms
- Investments in childcare 4 Capitol complex
- Explore ways to donate unused food to charities
- Study on "Green the Capitol" reducing carbon footprint, eliminate single-use plastic
- Explore feasibility & cost of free hygiene products in House bathrooms
- Directing AoC to “remove the statues or busts in the U.S. Capitol that represent figures who participated in the Confederate Army or government”
