Roll Call Covers Fazio, Ros-Lehtinen’s Appearance Before Hill Committee on Modernizing Congress
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Remarks before the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress by Akin Gump senior advisors and former U.S. representatives Vic Fazio and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen were quoted by Roll Call for its article “Lobbyists to Congress: Pay staffers better.”
The article notes that six former lawmakers, including the Akin Gump advisors, offered recommendations on how Congress might improve itself.
Fazio, a California Democrat, warned against incumbents and would-be members running against Congress to win election to serve on Capitol Hill. He also noted the deterioration of the committee system, where legislation used to be formed and nurtured, in favor of leadership offices making the most significant deals. In that vein, he added that lawmakers should find the funds to pay committee aides in order that they might bring policy expertise to panels, adding “Now people have to leave to go downtown to earn more money.” Finally, Fazio suggested reviving the Office of Technology Assessment to advise lawmakers on technology, noting that past hearings involving tech giants have demonstrated lawmakers’ lack of understanding of the topic.
Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican, noted the “breakdown of civility” in Congress, saying, “We need to be in a big group therapy session to figure out how to solve our problems without attacking each other.” She encouraged lawmakers to hire staff who reflect the country’s diversity and to “work across the aisle and build coalitions.”
Ros-Lehtinen's full testimony can be read here.
Fazio's full testimony can be read here.
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