Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) announced he has been appointed by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA23) to serve on the bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.
Latta also serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee as the Republican Leader on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee where he advocates for policies that help consumers, grow the economy, and spur innovation. He serves as a member of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, which he previously chaired, and the Energy Subcommittee.
“Whether a Republican or a Democrat, we can all agree that the People’s House needs to work as best as it can on behalf of the American people – the people who sent us to Congress,” said Latta. “It is an honor to be selected by Republican Leader McCarthy to work alongside Chairman Derek Kilmer and Republican Leader Rodney Davis, as well as all members of the Select Committee, to do what we can to improve the legislative branch so that it works the way our Founders intended.”
“This week’s broken budget process shows that Congress needs to make itself more transparent, efficient, and accountable to serve the American people,” said McCarthy. “Last year, Congress made an important step in the right direction by adopting 30 bipartisan recommendations from the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, but more work remains to be done. Bob, a veteran legislator and committed public servant, will help address these issues. As a proven leader on technology policy and an effective advocate for common sense government reforms, he has the expertise and experience necessary to help modernize the outdated technology Congress still relies on. Moreover, as someone who has worked across the aisle on combating the opioid crisis, he has the temperament to make this work a collaborative, bipartisan effort with his colleagues. I am confident that Bob will help the Committee build on its recommendations to make Congress work again.”
The Select Committee was established at the start of the 116th Congress as a temporary committee to hold hearings and study ways to improve and modernize the operation of Congress.
According to Title II of the 116th Congress House rules package which established the Select Committee, “the sole authority of the Select Committee shall be to investigate, study, make findings, hold public hearings, and develop recommendations on modernizing Congress, including recommendations on:
- rules to promote a more modern and efficient Congress;
- procedures, including the schedule and calendar;
- policies to develop the next generation of leaders;
- staff recruitment, diversity, retention, and compensation and benefits;
- administrative efficiencies, including purchasing, travel, outside services, and shared administrative staff;
- technology and innovation; and
- the work of the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards.
