Ten Takeaways from the Inaugural Tech, Science, and Data New Member Orientation
By: Anne Meeker
Tags: Politics, Congress, Article, Democracy In America, Democracy

Starting a New Office: Congressional Staff ‘Ask Me Anything’ panel

On December 9th, 2020, Members-elect of the 117th Congress joined current Members, staffers, technologists, scientists, academics, and advocates for the inaugural Tech, Science, and Data New Member Orientation, hosted by the First Branch Tech, Science and Data (TSD) cohort. Lawmakers shared advice on how to set up an office, find the right staff, and make use of technology, experts, and data to be more effective. Here are the top ten pieces of advice from the orientation, from the high-level to the in-the-weeds:

Wait to staff up

A universal theme from Members, experts and staffers was that Freshmen should go slowly in building their team. Rep. Rodney Davis [R, IL], a former staffer himself, advised that the first hire should be one trusted staffer who can make decisions on behalf of the Member, to allow the boss to focus on things that only a Member can do. Several noted that a great scheduler is essential in the early days to prioritize meeting requests and manage start-of-Congress logistics.

Going slowly on staffing allows a new office to find the right fit, identify priority areas, and strike a balance between experienced Congressional staff and those with diverse skill sets. Representative Takano [D, CA] suggested thinking outside the box, crediting his first communications manager’s experience in hip hop promotion with helping build a culture of digital innovation.

Cut yourself some slack at the beginning, but have a plan to catch up

Every new office starts out with a pile of backlogged constituent messages and feels pressure to begin responding immediately. Those who have been there advise being ready with a standard response (thanks for reaching out, we’re getting set up, but we’ll get back to you soon!) that allows the focus to be on setting up a great system and refining positions on key issues.

Establish a clear vision for office operations and technology

Tech-forward offices are often more efficient and better able to respond to emergencies, as many discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several speakers warned new Members to not just “take what they left you,” when it comes to equipment or processes inherited from the previous office-holder. Newer systems and more modern processes can be more secure and effective. Others emphasized the importance of collaboration tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams to streamline office communications and transparency.

But it’s not just about tech. Rep. Seth Moulton [D, MA] described the unique approach his office takes to keeping staff aligned and motivated — from a list of goals posted on the wall, to a daily 8:45 “standup” with all team members (district office and DC), and celebrating casework “wins” by ringing an actual bell in the office when a constituent’s issue is resolved.

Prioritize the constituent experience — whether in person or online

Former staffer and current Special Assistant to the President for Innovation, Matt Lira, challenged incoming Members to prioritize the digital constituent experience (website, social media, virtual meetings, etc) equally with the experience constituents have walking into their physical offices. That’s never been more important than it is this year, as many interaction will remain digital and remote into 2021.

Members of Congress have access to the best expertise in the world, be sure to use it!

Rep. Anthony Gonzalez [R, OH] urged new Members to tap into the willingness of experts to share their knowledge with lawmakers, “If you’re very curious about a particular area, whether it’s research or otherwise, find the person you think is smartest in the world at it, and see if they’ll take your call.” This can start close to home, with experts in your district or in DC with resources like the Congressional Research Service, the Government Accountability Office, and federal data agencies.

New technology lets you flip the traditional bill-writing process on its head, starting with buy-in from stakeholders at the outset.

Natural Resources Committee chairman, Raul Grijalva [D, AZ], described how his committee undertook an open process of crafting an environmental justice bill collaboratively with stakeholders, using new technology that allowed staff and organizations to work on language together. Bringing individuals and experts into the process early can make for legislation with broader support and buy-in.

Data is central to good policy, not an afterthought.

Data Coalition CEO, Nick Hart, described the emerging role of data and evidence in federal policy. He urged lawmakers to think early in the legislative process about how data collection and availability and how it can be leveraged for more effective oversight down the road.

Bipartisanship lives!

Despite reports to the contrary, speakers emphasized that bipartisanship does exist on the Hill, especially in the area of modernizing Congressional processes and technology. Representative Scott Peters [D, CA] noted that staff outreach and informal relationships can be a bridge for eventual cooperation among Members. Encouraging your staff to build their networks and relationships is almost as important as taking the time to build your own.

Chairman of the Select Committee on Modernization, Derek Kilmer, urged new Members to look for areas of agreement where the might work across the aisle: “Congress is a not entirely super complicated Venn diagram. And part of that is, you know, there’s stuff that Republicans want, there’s stuff that Democrats want, part of this is simply trying to find the shaded area of things that we can work on together, and each of us has a role to play in that regard.”

Build your circle: Members (as we saw) want to share expertise.

The TSD Orientation saw Members from both sides of the aisle, both sides of the country, sophomores to long-serving leaders, come together to offer advice and support for the freshmen of the 117th Congress. Building a network of peers you trust for advice is easier than it sounds, and one of the most worthwhile things you can do as a new Member.

It’s on you (but not you alone!) to build the institution you want to serve in.

To quote Rep. Davis:

“You all are now about to be sworn in as members of Congress. That day when you raise your right hand and you become one of us, you are now part of the institution that you ran against, so do what you can to make it better. That’s what we’re all here for.”

The good news is that you’re not alone! As you prepare to begin your Congressional career, you also have access to more resources to face them than ever before. The inaugural TSD Orientation demonstrated the breadth and generosity of current Members, staffers, and organizations on and off the Hill and that all are aligned with the goal of making Congress work better for the American people.

Stay tuned for more from the TSD Orientation in the coming weeks!