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 pilot program to provide closed captioning service in the House Gallery. The program, which was recommended by the Subcommittee, allows closed caption access for up to eight visitors.
 

“Making the People’s House more accessible to all visitors remains a top priority,” said Subcommittee Chairwoman Bice. “We are excited to launch this new pilot program to ensure that every guest in the House Gallery can follow proceedings in real time. I look forward to tracking the program’s development in the months to come.”
 

“I applaud Chairwoman Bice’s commitment to improving the accessibility of the Capitol campus,” said Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01). “This new program will have a positive impact on the visitors we welcome to the People’s House.” 

“I look forward to the House Gallery becoming more accessible for Americans and visitors,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Torres (CA-35). “Offering closed captioning services is an invaluable addition to ensure Congress, and what this institution represents, is available to everyone. I am grateful to have worked with my Modernization colleagues on such an important effort.”
 
“As the representative for Rochester’s vibrant deaf and hard-of-hearing community and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, I’m proud to share that closed captioning is now available in the House Gallery. Accessibility is essential for a healthy democracy, and I’ll keep working to make sure Congress is open to everyone,” said Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Morelle (NY-25).
 

Background: 

The Subcommittee partnered with the House Recording Studio, House Clerk, Office of Congressional Accessibility Services (OCAS), and the Architect of the Capitol to make closed captioning service available to visitors in the House Gallery. Four secure tablets were installed in Visitor Gallery 5 and are programmed to display real-time closed captions of House floor proceedings. The Subcommittee will monitor usage during the program’s pilot phase to determine whether additional tablets are needed.

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