Legislative Strengthening

As democracies grapple with declining trust, Marjan H. Ehsassi highlights the promise and pitfalls of citizens’ assemblies. Ahead of the Athens Democracy Forum, she explores how well-designed assemblies can amplify citizen voice, build social cohesion, and give legislatures political cover to tackle tough issues.

POPVOX Foundation Managing Director Anne Meeker appeared on The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton to discuss the launch of Departure Dialogues.

POPVOX Foundation, the Niskanen Center, Civil Service Strong, the Partnership for Public Service, and the Foundation for American Innovation invite departing federal employees to share your insights to help inform future Congressional action to strengthen federal programs.

Using oral history technology and AI analysis, Departure Dialogues captures departing civil servants’ experiences and turns them into actionable intelligence for lawmakers, oversight bodies, and reformers. In partnership with several civic organizations, Departure Dialogues aims to close the feedback loop between those who implement federal programs and those who make the laws that shape them.

POPVOX Foundation’s Anne Meeker and Sirena Harrop reflect on AI, capacity gaps, and takeaways from Boston’s record-setting 50th anniversary summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

This edition explores the evolving role of parliamentary speakers worldwide, drawing on new Inter-Parliamentary Union data to profile today’s leaders. From Brazil’s leadership standoff to Syria’s upcoming elections, we also highlight global legislative modernization, plus fresh research tools, historic discoveries, and upcoming democracy-focused events.

A long overdue spotlight on Africa, highlighting legislative innovation, institutional reform, and how parliaments across the continent are embracing technology, collaboration, and new ways of serving constituents.

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!

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.

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.

Key takeaways from Brasília, a preview of the upcoming AFRIPAL conference, and highlights of AI-driven innovation in legislatures from Greece to Argentina.

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.