Reforming Congress – Philip Kiko, Former Chief Administrative Officer of the US House of Representatives

March 15, 2022  

  • Video
  • 0:14 – Introduction
  • 4:32 – Differences working in the legislative branch, executive branch, and private sector
  • 6:44 – How did working for a Member of Congress or committee prepare you for working as the CAO?
  • 8:49 – How did your perspective on the generation of legislation change?
  • 11:05 – What makes a good committee?
  • 13:55 – How do committees initiate change through oversight?
  • 17:23 – How would you measure the health or performance of a good committee?
  • 23:39 – Thoughts on bringing in outside experts into legislative process
  • 25:24 – What kind of experts provide expertise to Congress?
  • 27:44 – The role of staff vs. Members in committee hearings
  • 29:40 – Are there standard roles within committees, similar to Member personal offices?
  • 32:07 – How are committee staff managed?
  • 33:40 – How are the Members supported in committee meetings by staff?
  • 36:24 – On the rules of committees3
  • 8:37 – What makes for a good staffer/member/chairman for a committee?
  • 41:52 – On transparency4
  • 5:26 – What is the Chief Administrative Officer position?
  • 50:34 – On the HR functions of the CAO for Congress
  • 53:44 – On training available to staff
  • 55:37 – What powers does the CAO have to influence or improve Congress? What could this role do in the future?
  • 1:01:31 – What kind of personal/technical requests did offices make to the CAO?
  • 1:04:16 – On the digital tracking of legislation
    [Lightning Round]
  • 1:05:33 – What do you think congressional representation should mean?
  • 1:10:37 – How would your ideal Congress allocate its time?
  • 1:12:20 – How should debate, deliberation, or dialogue occur or be structured in Congress?
  • 1:15:49 – What fundamental institutional improvement should Congress make within 50 years?
  • 1:17:30 – What book or article most shaped your thinking with respect to congressional reform?
  • 1:19:21 – Long term plans
Philip-Kiko