With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
POPVOX Foundation’s “Future-Proofing Congress” is a newsletter created for the busy Congressional staffer to keep you updated (and inspired!) about operational improvements and new resources on and off the Hill. Learn more and subscribe here.
Staying safe and supported as a Congressional staffer
Welcome back to this month’s edition of Future-Proofing Congress! Amid the long in-session days, late-night votes, and dozens of daily meetings, I hope that you have settled back into a productive routine and are happy to be breathing in fresh, pumpkin spice-scented fall air.
As a former staffer with more than a decade of experience working in Congress, September always had a “back to school” feeling for me. In previous offices, we would joke that the first day back in session felt like the first day of school (and yes, it was still important to make sure your outfit was on point). Of course, those back-to-school vibes were closely followed by worrisome conversations and lots of constituent calls about a potential government shutdown, and this year is no different. Our team has compiled a guide to help you prepare with your DC and district teams, just in case. Our friends at the Partnership for Public Service also have a wonderful resource, which you can find here. I know the uncertainty can be really tough for your teams and constituents who would be directly impacted, so hang in there!
When our team started this newsletter a year ago, our drive each month was to highlight improvements, both on and off the Hill, along with resources that can help make your job easier. From GenAI and professional development opportunities to innovative practices from other governments around the world, our team at POPVOX Foundation is so hopeful and excited about the future of our legislature and the people like you who work so hard to support it.
The health and safety of those working in the halls of Congress have been on my mind more than usual in the last few weeks, especially following the murder of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at their homes in June, and the public assassination of Charlie Kirk at a college campus earlier this month. The US Capitol Police are expected to field more than 14,000 threats against Members by the end of this year — up from more than 9,000 last year.
I lived through my fair share of scary moments on Capitol Hill, crises in-district, and read through far too many nauseating social media comments on my bosses’ social media profiles. I think it’s important to take a moment and recognize the toll that is taking on Congressional staff, Members, and their families.
Stress and mental burnout might be an inevitable part of this job, especially following multiple national tragedies that require response and compassion. It also continues to be a wonderful privilege to work on Capitol Hill on behalf of your neighbors, family members, and friends. Sometimes these things have to coexist. As Uncle Ben told Peter Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
So, I am taking a minute to tell you that I appreciate your power and responsibility, and know that you are working really, really hard to do right by your boss, your team, and your constituents. And in case no one has said it to you today — thank you!
In this month’s edition, we’ll talk about:
Future-proofing Members, staff, and their families against burnout and fear
Ways to give your brain a break
Highlights from across the branch that are bringing us joy (and coffee!)
How other countries are talking about AI implementation
Have a great week,
Danielle Stewart
Advisor for Congressional Initiatives
POPVOX Foundation
Future-proofing Against Burnout and Fear
When I was a staffer for the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, one of the issues that we discussed was identifying ways to stop the “Congressional brain drain.” In six years the committee produced more than 200 recommendations, many aimed at improving the quality of life, tenure, recruitment, and retention of staff just like you. We have seen lots of those recommendations go into place — MRA boosts, a pay floor for junior staff, and professional development from the incredible, hard-working folks at the Congressional Staff Academy. These improvements directly impact the ability of offices like yours to retain good staff, adding value to the service given to constituents and, over time, improving the quality of policy-making and legislating. But what happens when the environment outside the halls of Congress continues to negatively impact the work, and the people on the inside?
In 2022, turnover in the House was the highest it had been in twenty years. Looking back, it’s not surprising — the COVID-19 pandemic upended our way of life and our way of work, and the January 6 attack created deep, painful divisions throughout the campus and our country. By May 2021, threats against Members of Congress increased by 107% according to Capitol Police.
Most of the time, I know a staffer like you — or an intern — is on the receiving end of those threats meant for the boss. You are reading them over email, listening to voicemail messages, and sometimes hearing them in person at public events or constituent meetings. Shared last year in a survey by the Congressional Management Foundation, 70% of staffers said they have experienced "direct insulting or threatening messages or communications" while on the job.
That’s why it is vitally important for the Legislative branch to continue investing in the health — mental, emotional, and physical — of its employees. This means:
Continuing to promote and offer mental and emotional health assistance through the Office of Employee Assistance. This is a wonderful, free, confidential service that helps thousands of staffers every year. Check out their “Healthy on the Hill” podcast here.
Equipping staff and interns from day one with a written security protocol, Security Awareness Briefing, and clear guidance on how to handle concerning threats or conversations should be mandatory for every new office and employee in the House. More here.
If you are a manager, talk to your team about what’s on your mind and how you are processing the news cycle, or a particular recent event. Ask them what would be helpful on a day-to-day basis to make sure they feel safe at work. If you are mid or junior level, ask your boss to share some best practices and resources with the team to ensure everyone is on the same page if an emergency comes to your doorstep. Chances are you will not have to crack open that manual, but if you do, you’ll be glad to be prepared.
The bipartisan cry for additional security funding was heard loud and clear, and the increase announced last week is a welcome and necessary improvement. Members are now able to spend $10,000 a month for personal security, double the amount approved just this past summer. These funds are available for every Member of Congress, yet just over half are participating in the program. There is a tremendous opportunity to equip Members in their districts with safety systems, and they should be utilized. Learn more from the Committee on House Administration here.
POPVOX Foundation’s Managing Director Anne Meeker teamed up with the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare to host a webinar on burnout and care for Congressional caseworkers, and I urge you to watch and/or listen when you have the chance. I also encourage you to review these safety tips, compiled in collaboration with the National Association of Social Workers.
Campus Highlights
LegiDex
It’s here! Finally, your team will not need to spend precious office resources on staff directories provided by third parties. LegiDex, originally proposed by the bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress in 2022, is an internal online House staff directory. It allows staff to access key information of fellow staff members on a centralized platform. It’s easy to use and already had thousands of users in its first day! That’s what we call a modernization win.
Closed Captioning in the House Gallery
The House has made huge strides in the last year to ensure the campus is accessible and open for all Americans. Thanks to bipartisan leadership in the House, improved website accessibility and two ADA drop off and pick up zones have been added for visitors, Members, and staff to use. Last week, the Modernization and Innovation Subcommittee announced they had teamed up with the House Recording Studio, House Clerk, Office of Congressional Accessibility Services (OCAS), and the Architect of the Capitol to expand accessibility in the House Gallery. Visitors in Gallery 5 can now use four secure tablets that provide real-time closed captioning of House floor proceedings—making it easier than ever to follow along. This is especially important information for staff and interns who are giving daily Capitol tours! Take some time to familiarize yourself with Gallery 5 and how the tablets are used. Learn more here.
Foodie Fix
Cake pops come to Congress. In case you missed it, there has been a massive overhaul of the dining options available on campus. Dunkin’ has been replaced by Starbucks (a temporary kiosk until October 6), Subway is now Jimmy John’s, CHA Street Food is operating in the former Steak ‘n Shake space, and Panera is replacing Au Bon Pain later this fall. Hope you are hungry!
Give your brain a break!
I know a few minutes of uninterrupted free time during busy in-session weeks is a luxury, and let’s be honest, mostly nonexistent. Between a lack of quiet public spaces (we have a solution for that!) and packed calendars, it can be hard to take a break from screens and the demands of the day. When you do have a few minutes, I hope the below will make you smile and give you a much-needed boost.
All Songs Considered: A playlist curated to calm your nerves and provide a much-needed reset throughout the day. Included is one that scientists have deemed the most relaxing song ever created (you can trust me, I listened).
Tetris, Anyone?: Did you know that playing Tetris has shown to reduce PTSD following traumatic events? It’s estimated that 70% of Americans will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. You can play online or download the app and try it out in between meetings during a particularly tough day.
Comfy Red Armchair Optional: If you grew up watching Blue’s Clues, you know that hearing from Steve — Blue’s friend and show host — is like a warm hug. Steve just launched, “Alive with Steve Burns,” a podcast that tackles tough topics and conversations with warmth, compassion, and care. I’ll be tuning in and imagining his furry dog, Blue, right beside him.
Need a Refresher on Who Was in the Room Where it Happened?: George Washington University Professor, former Congressional staffer, and overall super cool dude Casey Burgat celebrated Constitution Day’s 238th birthday with a write-up of “everything you forgot to remember” about our founding document. Check it out here and pop down to the National Archives later this weekend for extra inspiration.
Need a Scrolling Break? Put the phone down, back away from the computer, and try this viral stretch routine that you can do at your desk.
Innovation in Action
Every year, the Congressional Hackathon brings together innovators, coders, and policy enthusiasts to reimagine how Congress could work better through technology and innovation. This was the seventh Hackathon, and last week the Capitol Visitors Center was full of teams brainstorming and building creative tools that would make legislative information more accessible, transparent, and actionable. From clever apps to fresh digital workflows, the hackathon highlighted the exciting ways technology can help staff, lawmakers, and constituents engage more effectively.
The most exciting announcements highlighted major modernization wins in the House: First, the creation and public release of the First Branch legislative data map, a kind of blueprint that shows how data flows through a system, where it is stored, and how it is used. This accomplishment, made possible due to the work of the Congressional Data Task Force, is currently posted on GitHub for feedback. This resource opens the door for the Congressional modernization community to recommend additions and provide feedback.
Second, Microsoft Copilot is in the House! Rolling out through the fall, offices will have access to licenses for the Copilot product, which will integrate with Outlook and OneDrive. We know from talking with staff like you that AI usage on the Hill varies a ton and we are here to say, when you are ready to dive into the exciting world of GenerativeAI (GenAI), POPVOX Foundation is here to help!
Over the summer, our team shared AI Summer Camp, designed to encourage Members of Congress and their staff to dedicate meaningful time to explore use cases of institutionally approved LLMs. AI Summer Camp is an on-demand, self-led experience providing structured guidance and use cases to encourage experimentation and testing, while also informing Members and staff of best practices to help them understand the limitations and risks of this technology.
It’s important to know how to ask the right questions when using GenAI. That’s where prompts come in! This month, as you are onboarding your fall intern class and helping them find their way around campus, try a prompt similar to the below. Check out more staff position-focused from our team on AI prompts and usage here.
“I work in the office of a US Representative and need creative ideas for onboarding our latest intern cohort. Onboarding needs to include learning the layout of the campus, the structure of our office, etiquette for the Congressional workplace, and legislative procedure. Please generate five ideas that could be effective.”
International “Fix” — Inspiration from Parliaments Around the World
Speaking of AI, Congress is not the only deliberative body still deliberating over responsible usage and rollout of these platforms and tools. POPVOX Foundation Fellow Dr. Beatriz Rey participated in the Global Gathering in Estoirl, Portugal, joining participants from more than 144 countries and 1,000 organizations and networks. One discussion she joined focused on AI accountability in practice, raising issues like online safety, privacy rights, digital democracy, and environmental action. It’s incredible to hear from voices around the globe who are using these tools in different ways, but with a similar goal in mind — to better support their citizens and innovate responsibly.
For more news from international legislatures, subscribe to our Modern Parliament (“ModParl”) newsletter.
A Shot of Positivity and Celebration of Excellence: The 2025 Democracy Awards
Last week's 8th Democracy Awards reception hosted by the Congressional Management Foundation was nothing short of inspiring, bringing together the absolute best of Congress in a celebration of true public service and operational excellence. The awards honor Members of Congress and their staff who exemplify outstanding public service, operational excellence, and innovative practices that strengthen our democracy, showcasing an exemplary collection of leaders who embody humility, principled governance, and remarkable innovation in their daily work. From groundbreaking constituent services to bipartisan collaboration that actually gets things done, these winners represent what Congress can be at its absolute best — proving that meaningful progress and positive change are happening every day on Capitol Hill. If you haven't already, I encourage you to watch the recording of this uplifting event and consider how your office might position itself as a future nominee by embracing the innovative practices and service-first mindset these winners demonstrate. Congratulations to all the Members and staff who were recognized—you are not just award winners, you are the standard-bearers showing us all what exceptional Congressional service looks like in action.
The Future is Now
41,000 Hours
During an event with FedScoop, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Acting AI Chief, Travis Hoppe, said 10,000 workers have participated in 1.2 million chats with its AI services, saving an estimated 41,000 hours. The CDC was the first federal agency to make ChatGPT available for its employees in 2023.
Catch it On the ‘Chain
Just a few weeks ago, the US Department of Commerce announced they will be posting GDP data on the blockchain. This is the first time a federal agency has published data this way!
Trolling For Tacos
Taco Bell announced plans last year to equip hundreds of drive-thrus with an AI voice assistant. What an efficient way to “live mas!” Except…it’s not going so well.
“Hello, Humans”
18 months after Noland Arbaugh received a Neuralink brain chip, he shares that the device has been “entirely transformative.” He is able to use it to control his computer to read, study, and game; participate in college courses online; play Mario Kart; and start his own business.
Are You AI Obsessed Yet?
Axios founders Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen shared that several readers asked why their content is so “AI obsessed.” They lay out their reasoning and share why you should be, too!
Crushing Fraud (and Chili?)
Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launched the Crushing Fraud Chili Cook-Off Competition, a public challenge to identify AI solutions and machine learning models that could be used to detect fraud in the Medicare program.
About POPVOX Foundation
POPVOX Foundation is a nonpartisan nonprofit that helps democratic institutions keep pace with a rapidly changing world. Through publications, events, prototypes and technical assistance, the organization helps public servants and elected officials better serve their constituents and make better policy.