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.
Learning Together: A Morning Focused On Tech Innovations Solving Policy Challenges
On April 28, POPVOX Foundation partnered with the Bertelsmann Foundation to host “Learning Together: Technology Solutions for Policy Challenges,” a first-of-its-kind democratic technology showcase that brought together Congressional staffers, international peers, civil society, technology fellows, civic tech builders, and members of the public for networking and inspiration.
Introducing StaffLink: An AI Assistant for Junior Congressional Staff
StaffLink, a new, AI-powered chatbot designed especially for junior Congressional staffers provides immediate guidance on Congressional operations, drawing on publicly available information about Congressional operations.
How the Congressional App Competition Can Build the Tech Pipeline to Congress
#HouseOfCode marks the culmination of the Congressional App Competition, where students from across the nation and territories develop apps for recognition by their representatives in Congress.
Public Witness Testimony on Strengthen Congressional Capacity and Constituent Service to House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch for FY26
POPVOX Foundation's Advisor for Congressional Initiatives Danielle Stewart submitted testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch for FY26 requesting the subcommittee's consideration of three initiatives to improve Congressional capacity.
New Research: How Would Constituent Services Work in Multi-Member Districts?
A new paper by POPVOX Foundation Deputy Director Anne Meeker and New American Senior Fellow Lee Drutman, in partnership with Protect Democracy, examines the potential impacts of multi-member districts on the critical constituent service work that many Americans rely on when navigating federal agencies and programs.
Bridging the Implementation Gap: Key Insights for Congressional Staff
On March 24, POPVOX Foundation and the Niskanen Center hosted "The Implementation Gap: Turning Legislative Intent into Executive-Led Outcomes," a panel discussion offering insights and solutions for Congressional staff taking on the challenge of translating legislative intent into effective policy implementation.
What is Congressional Proxy Voting and Why is it Important Now?
To make Congress more family-friendly and reflective of a modern workforce, allowing for a limited proxy voting option would ensure all Members could fully participate in the legislative process.
Committee on House Administration Member Day
Ahead of the Committee on House Administration's upcoming Member Day, POPVOX Foundation offers the following recommendations encouraging Member engagement with CHA to build on previous successes in creating a strong, responsive Legislative branch.
Introducing a Journalist’s Guide to Covering Congressional Casework
A Journalist’s Guide to Covering Congressional Casework is a quick reference for journalists covering casework stories, covering typical Congressional office procedures for casework, the history and legal background for casework, and questions to ask around specific pitches or stories.
Cyber Policy Leadership Institute Welcomes Second Cohort at Crowdstrike HQ
The Cyber Policy Leadership Institute is a collaboration between POPVOX Foundation, CrowdStrike, and Advocacy Blueprints, dedicated to bridging the representation gap in cybersecurity policy and creating pathways for emerging policy leaders.
Voice/Mail: A New Substack on the Future of Constituent Engagement
Voice/Mail, a new Substack from Deputy Director Anne Meeker explores the intersection of civic engagement and technology and how government can keep pace to solicit and act on public opinion.
New Rules Call for Ongoing AI Efforts in the House; Here’s What Lawmakers Should Do Next
The House of Representatives’ new rules package for 2025 emphasizes integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations and enhance legislative functions. To fully realize AI's potential, lawmakers should prioritize revising restrictive IT policies, forming dedicated AI working groups, investing in staff training, and leveraging modernization funds for pilot programs.
POPVOX Foundation Creates Children’s Book for New Members with Kids
To support Congressional families as they approach this big life change together, POPVOX Foundation created “Welcome to Washington,” a children’s book designed to enhance their experience in Washington, DC.
Opinion: House Republicans Have the Opportunity to Make the 119th Congress the Most Modern and Pro-Family in Recent History
By modernizing its voting procedures to include a proxy voting option when it adopts new Rules, the House of Representatives would ensure near-universal participation and better prepare Congress to respond to future emergencies, whether they be individual or national in scope.
What’s happening with AI in constituent engagement?
Outdated communication systems and limited office adoption have minimized GenAI's impact on constituent engagement, but there remains a need to rethink and modernize how constituents and lawmakers interact.
Recommendations to the 119th Congress on Creating a Strong, Responsive Legislative Branch
Recommendations to help Congress address the “pacing problem,” invest in its workforce, enhance constituent services, foster bipartisanship, and strengthen House operations for a more effective and responsive Legislative branch.
Report: Where Will They All Sit?
A new report from POPVOX Foundation and Protect Democracy explores the idea of expanding not only the US Capitol campus’ physical footprint, but also the chamber’s membership.