Innovation in Action: Highlights from the 2025 Congressional Hackathon
A day of collaboration, announcements, and the next generation of Congressional technologists
The Congressional Hackathon 7.0 took place in the Capitol Visitor Center in the US Capitol on September 17, 2025.
The Capitol Visitor Center, within the US Capitol, is often a hive of activity, but on September 17, a special energy emanated from the auditorium — one that only comes when passionate people gather around a shared mission. Yesterday's Congressional Hackathon brought together an incredibly diverse crowd — Members of Congress, institutional staff, civil society advocates, students, technologists, and members of the public — all united by a common goal: making Congress work better through technology and innovation.
Marking its seventh convening, the Congressional Hackathon has become an annual celebration of what's possible when the Congressional community comes together to focus on the internal workings of the institution and how they can be improved through technology. This year's gathering was particularly special, marked by substantial announcements, inspiring presentations from young emerging technologists, and the collaborative spirit that continues to drive institutional progress on the Hill.
A New Generation Takes the Stage
One of the most inspiring aspects of this year's lightning rounds — a signature element of each Hackathon — was the prominence of current high school and college students among the presenters. Many were alumni of incredible programs like the Congressional App Challenge and its House of Code, representing an inspiring upcoming generation of technologists who are eager to help Congress continue to keep pace in a rapidly changing world.
Watching these young innovators pitch sophisticated solutions to Congressional challenges was a powerful reminder that the future of legislative technology is in capable hands as long as the institution continues to open doors of legislative data transparency. Their presentations were not just impressive for their technical merit — they demonstrated meaningful investment in understanding current challenges Congressional Members and staff face and how technology can enhance democratic governance and constituent services.
Major Announcements Signal Institutional Progress
The day's most significant moments came with two major announcements that represent substantial steps forward in Congressional modernization:
Microsoft Copilot Enterprise Agreement
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson [R, LA] announced at the Hackathon that the House has finalized an agreement with Microsoft, providing 6,000 Copilot licenses for House staff and committees that will be accessible this fall. This deployment will aid in the House’s internal adoption of artificial intelligence, assisting staff with information access, inbox management, and daily workflow optimization. It is a tangible example of Congress taking important steps forward in embracing this new age of AI within the First Branch.
Legislative Data Map
Similarly groundbreaking (if a bit niche) was the announcement of the creation and public release of the first-ever First Branch legislative data map. This laudable accomplishment, made possible due to the vital work of the Congressional Data Task Force, is posted on GitHub. This resource opens the door for the Congressional modernization community to recommend additions and provide feedback — embodying the collaborative, open-source spirit that drives the best innovations in civic technology.
These announcements did not happen in a vacuum. As anyone familiar with institutional change knows, innovations like these require significant political capital, sustained support, dedicated resources, and countless hours of coordination. These announcements, along with the continued hosting of the Congressional Hackathon and growing attendance of passionate participants, should be celebrated as proof that the Legislative Branch is continuing on its path of modernization.
To read more about the rich history of Congressional modernization, visit our Future-Proofing Congress page.
From Idea to Implementation in Real Time
A brief presentation of one of the many innovative platforms created during the Congressional Hackathon coding session that took place in coordination with the main event.
While the main Hackathon was taking place from mid-afternoon to end of business hours, an affiliated coding event ran all day starting at 9 AM. The immediate creation of tools to address existing Congressional challenges perfectly captures what makes the Congressional Hackathon so valuable. Seeing initial beta versions of newly created tools presented as the final group presentation drove home the event's core mission: turning innovative ideas into practical solutions.
The Power of Collaborative Innovation
It takes a village! Huge kudos to all the individuals who played a role in making Congressional Hackathon 7.0 a tremendous success.
The atmosphere throughout the day was undeniably collaborative and positive — a space where ideas could be pitched, refined, and brainstormed without the usual barriers that can sometimes hamper innovation in institutional settings. The diversity of the crowd, spanning all ages, backgrounds, professional experience levels, and political viewpoints, created a rich environment for creative problem-solving.
This collaborative spirit extends far beyond a single day's event. The Congressional Hackathon represents something larger: a growing community of people who believe that Congress can and should embrace the tools and approaches that will help it serve the American people more effectively in the 21st century.
Looking Forward
The logo of the Congressional Hackathon 7.0
The Congressional Hackathon has grown every year, and that growth is a testament to the passion and dedication of everyone who makes up the Congressional modernization community. From the students presenting cutting-edge solutions to the institutional staff implementing new systems, from the Members championing innovation to the civic technologists building better tools — Congress is better because of this community and the exchange of ideas it fosters.
As we move forward, the innovations showcased and announced at this year's Hackathon will continue to develop and mature. There is no doubt more work to be done. But let us not forget, innovation in Congress is not just about adopting new technology — it is about fostering a culture that embraces continuous improvement, collaborative problem-solving, and the belief that our democratic institutions can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Yesterday's Hackathon was a powerful reminder that this culture is alive and well, and the future of Congressional innovation looks brighter than ever.
