WASHINGTON - Today, Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Modernization & Innovation Chairwoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) and Ranking Member Norma Torres (CA-35) announced a new closed captioning service that is now available to every House committee. The House Committee Captioning Service, which was recommended by the Subcommittee and funded by the Modernization Initiatives Account, continues the Subcommittee’s ongoing efforts to make the People’s House accessible to all.

“For the hard of hearing, closed captioning is invaluable,” said Subcommittee Chairwoman Bice. “The Committee on House Administration has successfully piloted the new service over the past several weeks and I’m looking forward to other committees doing the same so that everyone who attends a hearing can follow everything that is said.”  

"The Committee on House Administration and Subcommittee on Modernization and Innovation have been hard at work making the Capitol more accessible to all Americans," said Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01). "I am grateful to Subcommittee Chairwoman Bice for her leadership on this critical effort."

“Offering closed captioning services in committee hearing rooms is an invaluable addition to ensure Congress is accessible to everyone,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Torres. “I look forward to committees taking advantage of this tool and I am grateful to have worked with my colleagues on such an important effort.”

“Anyone who visits the People’s House should be able to fully engage with the legislative process,” said Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Morelle (NY-25). “My district is home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and a vibrant Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community, and I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to bring closed captioning and other critical accessibility tools to our government. I look forward to working with advocates and my colleagues to make Congress more accessible to all.”

Background: 

The House Committee Captioning Service, which has a 98-percent accuracy rate, allows committees to display real-time captions on their committee room screens during hearings. Anyone attending a hearing can scan a committee-specific QR code to access real-time captions on their phones or tablets. 

The House Committee Captioning Service is the Subcommittee’s latest initiative focused on making Congress accessible to everyone. The Subcommittee’s recent efforts in this space include overseeing the creation of a centrally-located, ADA compliant drop-off and pick-up zone; making  the security screening protocols for individuals with disabilities visiting Congress public on the Capitol Visitors Center website; and, working closely with the CAO to ensure that House websites are fully accessible and compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. 

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