Keeping the TX, NM, and CA delegations in our thoughts
We’re keeping the TX, NM, and CA delegations in our thoughts amid disasters, sharing updates on caseworker resources and our upcoming break, and asking for your feedback on this newsletter. Plus: a new webinar on consumer casework and key agency updates.
POPVOX Foundation Key Priorities Included in FY26 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill
The FY 2026 House Legislative Branch Appropriations bill includes key report language backed by POPVOX Foundation, advancing Congressional modernization and support for caseworkers. Wins include expanding the CRS liaison directory, continued development of the Case Compass project, improved data mapping, and institutional training on AI.
World Parliament Day: Why I Love the Legislative Branch
Celebrate World Parliament Day with some reflections from our Senior Fellow Beatriz Rey on how Congress became her window into human possibility and political imagination!
Caseworkers and Field Reps Take DC
The latest Casework Navigator newsletter includes a recap of our Closing the Feedback Loop Through Casework event, a casework-related hearings roundup, and a ton of casework news and agency updates (especially ICE).
The Hill: A year after Loper Bright, Congress has failed to step up (Op-Ed)
One year after the Supreme Court’s Loper Bright decision ended judicial deference to federal agencies, Congress has yet to step up to its constitutional responsibilities. Instead of investing in the expertise and infrastructure needed to legislate effectively, Congress is defunding the very institutions that support it—at a time when precision lawmaking and AI-era governance demand more, not less.
When disaster strikes, your local congressional office can help
During disasters, help from federal agencies can be critical—and local congressional staff are key to making that happen. In a conversation with Federal News Network, Deputy Director Anne Meeker, a former caseworker, highlights the unique challenges these caseworkers face.
Insights from Athens and Lisbon on Upgrading Parliaments in a Digital World
From Athens to Lisbon, this month’s Modern Parliament captures how legislatures are reimagining democracy for the digital age. Highlights include insights from the 4th Global Conference on Parliamentary Studies, Portugal’s democratic innovation map, and global examples of AI, citizen engagement, and research-policy integration reshaping how parliaments work.
Six institutional wins to mark six months of the 119th Congress
We mark six months of the 119th Congress with six overlooked institutional wins—from expanded staff benefits to GenAI pilots and infrastructure upgrades. This edition highlights how small, intentional improvements are modernizing legislative operations and building a more resilient Congress.
The Case for Casework
Casework strengthens Congressional oversight, builds constituent trust, and supports a more resilient institution. POPVOX Foundation Deputy Director Anne Meeker, a former caseworker, outlines strategies to support caseworkers, modernize tools, and turn constituent insights into actionable policy.
Political Violence Threatens the Continuity of Congress
For Congressional staffers, security is an ongoing concern. The issue hit especially close to home following a politically motivated and deadly attack against two Minnesota House Members and their families. These conversations also speak to a larger issue for the Legislative branch, highlighting the real need for better continuity planning in the event of an emergency.
International Convening Highlights AI Governance
Key takeaways from Brasília, a preview of the upcoming AFRIPAL conference, and highlights of AI-driven innovation in legislatures from Greece to Argentina.
New On-Demand Training, "GenAI in a Parliamentary Setting: Enhancing Productivity for Elected Officials"
"GenAI in a Parliamentary Setting: Enhancing Productivity for Elected Officials" is an introductory training video designed specifically for Members of Parliament who want to understand how commercially available Large Language Models (LLMs) can enhance their work serving constituents.
Introducing "Claude for Legislatures," A New Training Resource for Legislative Staff
"Claude for Legislatures" is a 101-style, on-demand training video designed specifically for legislative and parliamentary staff who want to explore how Anthropic's commercially available large language model (LLM) Claude can enhance their work.
New Training for Reporters on How to Use AI to Boost Congressional Coverage
POPVOX Foundation has released a training video that brings Congressional reporters up to speed on how Capitol Hill uses AI and how journalists can leverage these same tools to enhance their reporting.
POPVOX Foundation Welcomes Joni Lee
POPVOX Foundation is honored to welcome Joni Lee as a Program Associate.
POPVOX Foundation Welcomes Mia Barratt
POPVOX Foundation welcomes new intern Mia Barratt. Mia is a rising senior at Cornell University.
Beta Takeaways: Key Lessons on StaffLinkBot.org
First-week observations and next steps for StaffLink, our publicly available, AI-powered chatbot designed with newly hired Hill staff and interns in mind.
Tech That Works: Exploring Product Model Funding for Government Technology
On May 12, the Niskanen Center and POPVOX Foundation hosted "Tech That Works: Unlocking Better Models for Digital Government," a briefing for Congressional staff focused on innovative approaches to funding the development of government technology.
POPVOX Foundation Welcomes Jeremy Dillard
POPVOX Foundation is honored to welcome Jeremy Dillard as our newest Fellow. Jeremy will bring his decade of experience at the Department of Veterans Affairs, including serving as a Congressional Liaison, to work on projects related to casework, inter-branch relationships, and effective lawmaking.
How Spending Reform Transformed Constituent Engagement
This case study explores how the return of earmarks—rebranded as Community Project Funding (CPF) and Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS)—sparked one of the most significant shifts in constituent engagement in Congress in the past decade.