Gluesenkamp Perez, Golden Introduce Resolution to Allow for Remote Committee Witnesses

Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02) – of the Blue Dog Coalition – introduced the Bringing Real Ideas, Data, and Genuine Experience (BRIDGE) to Congress Resolution. The resolution would amend House rules to allow for remote appearances of committee witnesses without approval of the chair of a committee.

This would improve legislation by ensuring a more representative body of committee witnesses by removing obstacles for witnesses who may face difficulties taking time off work, finding childcare, or spending hundreds of dollars on airfare and lodging costs to travel to Washington, D.C.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed a resolution permitting hybrid committee hearings, allowing witnesses to appear remotely, but the policy was discontinued in January 2023.

Last week, Reps. Gluesenkamp Perez and Golden wrote an op-ed outlining their electoral reform proposals and underscoring the urgent need to build a more representative and productive federal government.

“Witnesses inform our committee work in Congress, yet it can require significant resources for folks to travel from Southwest Washington to D.C. to share their perspectives. Obstacles like finding childcare, getting time off work, or affording travel, make it harder for normal people to inform their lawmakers about the real issues affecting their lives,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Legislation should come from the values and firsthand experiences of everyday Americans, so I’m introducing this resolution to build a more reflective pool of witnesses and make Congress more accessible.”

“Mainers expect and deserve to have access to their government, whether at Town Halls, in Augusta, or in Washington, D.C.,” said Rep. Golden. “I’m proud to co-sponsor this resolution to allow remote participation for congressional committee witnesses. In the 21st century, long distances and expensive travel costs should not be a barrier to participation in the democratic process.”

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

This week, Reps. Gluesenkamp Perez and Golden introduced legislation to establish a bipartisan electoral reform select committee. They also introduced bipartisan legislation to expand access to primary elections for non-affiliated voters.

The lawmakers previously introduced the legislation in the 118th Congress.