The Tri-Caucus Staff Associations Applaud Extension of House Select Committee
on Modernization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, November 14, 2019
CONTACTS:
Philip Bennett (CHSA), 310–384–5815, Philip.Bennett@mail.house.gov
Alex Hetherington (CAPASA): 202–816–1124, Alex_Hetherington@schatz.senate.gov
Herline Mathieu (CBA): 407–745–9801, Herline.Mathieu@mail.house.gov
Brianna Patterson (SBLSC): 301–706–1108, Brianna_Patterson@cardin.senate.gov
WASHINGTON - The Tri-Caucus Staff Associations applaud the passage of H. Res. 695, which includes a provision to extend the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (the Committee) through the end of the 116th Congress. The Committee was initially scheduled to terminate its work on February 1, 2020. We strongly urge the Committee to utilize its extension to increase the number of recommendations it generates regarding staff diversity and pay.
To date, the Committee has made several recommendations around staff diversity and pay, including:
The Committee’s recommendations echo initiatives already in progress in the House, including the establishment of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the House Rules package, outreach by the Committee on House Administration and the Chief Administrative Officer to staff regarding a payroll system change, and the recent House-wide Diversity Compensation Study. To further the progress made thus far, we urge the Committee to generate additional recommendations related to staff diversity and pay as it continues its work.
We respectfully recommend the Committee consider the following proposals:
The Tri-Caucus Staff Associations look forward to working with the Committee on these important initiatives and offer ourselves as a resource.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
CONTACTS:
Philip Bennett (CHSA), 310–384–5815, Philip.Bennett@mail.house.gov
Alex Hetherington (CAPASA): 202–816–1124, Alex_Hetherington@schatz.senate.gov
Herline Mathieu (CBA): 407–745–9801, Herline.Mathieu@mail.house.gov
Brianna Patterson (SBLSC): 301–706–1108, Brianna_Patterson@cardin.senate.gov
WASHINGTON - The Tri-Caucus Staff Associations applaud the passage of H. Res. 695, which includes a provision to extend the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (the Committee) through the end of the 116th Congress. The Committee was initially scheduled to terminate its work on February 1, 2020. We strongly urge the Committee to utilize its extension to increase the number of recommendations it generates regarding staff diversity and pay.
To date, the Committee has made several recommendations around staff diversity and pay, including:
- Making permanent the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
- Examining and updating the staff payroll system from monthly to semimonthly.
- Regularly surveying staff on improving pay and benefits.
The Committee’s recommendations echo initiatives already in progress in the House, including the establishment of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the House Rules package, outreach by the Committee on House Administration and the Chief Administrative Officer to staff regarding a payroll system change, and the recent House-wide Diversity Compensation Study. To further the progress made thus far, we urge the Committee to generate additional recommendations related to staff diversity and pay as it continues its work.
We respectfully recommend the Committee consider the following proposals:
- Adopt the Rooney Rule for all positions.
- Create best practices and language that addresses diversity and inclusion at all levels of office operations in office handbooks.
- Require mandatory implicit bias and cultural sensitivity training for all hiring managers.
- Increase staff professional development opportunities and new-hire orientation training.
- Utilize the onboarding process for new hires to collect diversity data on the Congressional workforce.
- Develop an inclusive recruitment and retention plan to attract diverse talent.
The Tri-Caucus Staff Associations look forward to working with the Committee on these important initiatives and offer ourselves as a resource.
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