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Chairwoman Bice's full opening statement as prepared for delivery:
A few weeks ago, on March 20, the Modernization Subcommittee held its first legislative hearing. Today, the Subcommittee is holding its first markup.
I’d like to also note that this is the first markup that a subcommittee on House Administration has held in 31 years.
That’s a lot of firsts in the span of a few weeks and I’d like to thank Ranking Member Kilmer, Rep. Carey, and Rep. Morelle for all of the time and effort they’ve put in to getting us here today.
Subcommittees can play an important role in the legislative process, and we are demonstrating that through our own work.
All four Members of this Subcommittee worked together to introduce the bills we are marking up today.
These measures will help streamline processes and improve the way the Congressional Research Service works on behalf of Congress.
By prioritizing a more efficient Congress, we are saving taxpayer dollars.
H.R. 7592, would eliminate the Constitution Annotated print requirement and replace it with a digitized version. This will eliminate the costs associated with printing a hardbound version, which according to CRS and GPO, would save just over $1 million.
The digital version is regularly updated, and CRS is prepared to continue improving its user-features.
H.R. 7593, would modernize CRS’s access to federal agency data and information, also creating efficiencies.
In order to provide timely and accurate research and analysis to Congress, CRS needs quick and reliable access to data.
When CRS’s work is held up by bureaucratic processes and procedures, our work is held up. That’s unacceptable and our constituents deserve better.
CRS brought these cost and time saving measures to the Subcommittee’s attention and we were happy to work with the agency to support their ongoing modernization efforts.
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