Can Congress Reform Itself Again?

National Archives Museum
Online

Presented in Partnership with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress

Over the years, Congress has embraced reforming the institution, but that process often was voter driven. Congress has also periodically looked inward and asked if its processes are in lockstep with the current times and demands. Examples are the “Watergate Babies” in the mid-1970s and the Gingrich Revolution of the mid-1990s. Might the current hyper-partisanship be an equally impactful event that will change the way Congress operates? A bipartisan panel of former and current Members of Congress will discuss these issues. Moderated by the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, panelists include current Members of Congress Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Chairman of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; Will Timmons (R-SC), Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; and former Members of Congress James J. Blanchard (D-MI) and Bob Walker (R-PA).