Rep. Cleaver, Modernization Committee Release Final Report

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, following a four-year effort to increase the functionality, efficiency, and effectiveness of Congress, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (Modernization Committee) released their final report, which includes more than 200 bipartisan recommendations to improve the institution.

“When Democrats re-took the House majority in 2019, one of our first actions was to install the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress to find ways in which we could make the People’s House work more efficiently and effectively for the American people,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I am grateful to my Democratic colleagues for entrusting me to sit on this committee for two terms, where I took their confidence in my civility and ability to work across the aisle to improve this institution extremely seriously. Four years and more than 200 bipartisan recommendations later, I am incredibly proud of not only the work we’ve accomplished, but the example we’ve set: that Democrats and Republicans can engage in respectful debate, seek common ground, and come together to produce meaningful reforms that will benefit our constituents and the lawmaking process. As the Modernization Committee comes to a close, I want to thank Chairman Kilmer for his leadership, my colleagues on the committee for their willingness to put people over politics, and the bipartisan committee staff for helping make the last four years a success.”

Over the past four years, the Modernization Committee has passed more than 200 recommendations to improve the functionality of Congress, including items such as making the Office of Diversity and Inclusion permanent; promoting civility during New Member Orientation, improving access to congressional websites for individuals with disabilities; and more. Of the 202 bipartisan recommendations, 45 have been fully implemented and 87 have been partially implemented.

The Modernization Committee’s official final report is available here. 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus.