WASHINGTON - Today, Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Modernization Chairwoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) and full Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) delivered remarks at the Subcommittee on Modernization hearing entitled "A View of House Modernization: Perspectives from the CAO." U.S. House of Representatives Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor testified.

Click the image or here to view Chairwoman Bice's remarks. 
As Subcommittee Chairwoman Bice highlighted during the hearing:

"When I think of modernization one word really comes to mind: Opportunity. By working together in a nonpartisan way, we have an opportunity to make the House more effective, efficient, and transparent for the American people. Today’s hearing is just the start.

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"The CAO provides a broad range of services, touching on everything from technology management and support to the management of campus service contracts to staff support and development, and so much more. As such a vital partner in many modernization initiatives, today’s hearing is a natural place to begin our discussion.

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"As many of you know, my experience during New Member Orientation for the 117th Congress is what first sparked my interest in the Committee on House Administration. I want to help make improvements to that programming so that moving forward, we can better equip our members so they can more effectively serve their constituents back home... I look forward to today’s discussion as we work to evaluate and expand upon the work that is being done to bring the People’s House into the 21st century."
Click the image or here to view Chairman Steil's remarks.
As Chairman Steil highlighted during the hearing:

"We structured this in a balanced approach, as the previous Select Committee on Modernization was structured. Despite the fact I'm joining you here today, this is intentionally a 2-2 Committee, which is not a standard structure inside the House. It gives us an opportunity to look at areas where we can have a non-partisan approach to make the institution work better.

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"I really look forward to the work product that comes out of this committee. I couldn't think of any two people better to be at the helm than Chair Bice, with your background, your commitment to modernizing the House, and your unique insight on the Appropriations Committee, and Ranking Member Kilmer as previous chair on the Select Committee on Modernization, who really demonstrated a commitment to modernizing the House in a nonpartisan approach.

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"We're not doing things just because that's how they've always been done.That's probably the answer that drives me more nuts than anything else in this institution, and that is often the answer we get. 

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"This Committee on Administration writ large has a real opportunity to take the ideas, the thought, the work product that comes out of here and move it forward. We're going to be continuing to look at areas, I know we've had some challenges even in the very recent past. In particular as it relates to data security, data privacy of Members, of staff, of others. This institution is a unique target globally, and we're going to have to continue to look in particular as it relates to data security."
 
Background:
Before the hearing, the Subcommittee held a Business Meeting to adopt procedures for the 118th Congress. Chairwoman Bice announced the Subcommittee will continue the tradition of the Select Committee's alternative format from last Congress, with a roundtable set-up and staggered seating. 

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