Why Congress’s Outdated Technology Is Holding Us Back: A Call for Modernization

Every day, the news tells us Congress is broken. People assume this explains why lawmakers seem distant from the needs of Americans.

But there’s an important point that often gets overlooked: members of Congress struggle to hear the voices of the American people—and sometimes even each other. This communication gap is very real. Many congressional staff work in thousands of district offices, yet their technology is out of date compared to other businesses and homes.

For instance, it wasn’t until 2023 that district offices got secure Wi-Fi. A congressional testimony revealed that meetings sometimes ended abruptly after just 40 minutes because some staff had to use a free version of Zoom. That’s not ideal for making decisions.

Congress’s tech has largely remained the same for decades, while the world has changed dramatically. Everyone now carries smartphones, yet these same tools haven’t been fully embraced to help Congress govern more effectively.

Slow to Change

Like many institutions, Congress can be slow to accept change. It took the COVID-19 pandemic to prompt virtual hearings. Before that, the halls were filled with whiteboards, sticky notes, and interns with clipboards.

Surprisingly, electronic signatures only arrived in 2021, long after Congress allowed them in 2000. The House of Representatives spends about $10 million a year on technology upgrades. To put it in perspective, that’s just 1% of what fans have spent to see “Hamilton” on Broadway since 2015.

While Americans are interested in democracy, Congress has lagged in investing in its processes.

Modernization Efforts

Congress is starting to make changes by exploring new ways to engage with constituents. For example, the House Natural Resources Committee has used a platform called Madison to collaboratively draft environmental legislation, involving communities directly affected by pollution.

They’re also looking into “deliberative technology,” which combines real human input with artificial intelligence to foster discussions. People can share and respond to ideas online, making it easier for lawmakers to understand diverse opinions and find common ground.

Other countries, like Finland and Canada, are already testing these kinds of technologies. In Helsinki, one-third of young residents participate in shaping the city’s budget. In May 2024, 45 nonprofit organizations pushed Congress to adopt these tools for better civic engagement.

Moving Forward

Modernization has improved how Congress connects with the public. Video hearings during the pandemic allowed expert voices from across the country to be heard. For example, during that time, I witnessed remote testimonies on important local issues like education and environmental hazards.

New House rules encourage the use of AI to make daily operations smoother and allow for remote witness testimonies. They’re also developing tools to track changes in legislation and reduce scheduling conflicts, which often leave members double-booked.

On a similar note, Congress is enhancing how it handles funding for local projects. After a hiatus, “member-directed spending” returned in 2022 with new transparency rules. This allows members to select projects in their districts while ensuring the public can track where the money goes.

Congress is even catching up with pizza delivery systems! By late 2024, a new tracking app for flags flown over the U.S. Capitol made the process much smoother than previous methods, akin to how customers can track their pizza orders.

Slowly but surely, Congress is finding ways to better communicate and connect with the people it represents.

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