Reforming Congress Interview Series

Daniel Schuman leads Demand Progress and Demand Progress Education Fund’s efforts on issues that concern government transparency, accountability, ethics, and reform; protecting civil liberties; and strengthening the legislative branch. He co-founded the Congressional Data Coalition, which brings together organizations from across the political spectrum to advocate for a tech-savvy Congress; create...

Daniel Schuman leads Demand Progress and Demand Progress Education Fund’s efforts on issues that concern government transparency, accountability, ethics, and reform; protecting civil liberties; and strengthening the legislative branch. He co-founded the Congressional Data Coalition, which brings together organizations from across the political spectrum to advocate for a tech-savvy Congress; create...

Donald R. Wolfensberger is a congressional fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center and a resident scholar at the Bipartisan Policy Center. He served as director of the Congress Project at the Wilson Center from 1999 to 2012. He writes a twice-monthly column, “Procedural Politics,” for Roll Call.  He is the author of Congress and the People: Deliberative Democracy on Trial (Johns Hopkins Universit...

Donald R. Wolfensberger is a congressional fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center and a resident scholar at the Bipartisan Policy Center. He served as director of the Congress Project at the Wilson Center from 1999 to 2012. He writes a twice-monthly column, “Procedural Politics,” for Roll Call.  He is the author of Congress and the People: Deliberative Democracy on Trial (Johns Hopkins Universit...

Anthony J. Madonna is an Associate Professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Georgia. He received his PhD in political science from Washington University in St. Louis in 2008. His research interests include American political institutions and development, congressional politics and procedure and presidential politics. His work has appeared in such journals as the American...

Anthony J. Madonna is an Associate Professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Georgia. He received his PhD in political science from Washington University in St. Louis in 2008. His research interests include American political institutions and development, congressional politics and procedure and presidential politics. His work has appeared in such journals as the American...

Betsy Wright Hawkings served as chief of staff for four members of Congress over 25 years, including her hometown Congressman Christopher Shays, helping build bipartisan coalitions to balance the federal budget in 1995-96; apply civil rights, fair labor standards and workplace safety laws to Congress; and establish the 9-11 Commission and implement its recommendations. She served as the founding M...

Betsy Wright Hawkings served as chief of staff for four members of Congress over 25 years, including her hometown Congressman Christopher Shays, helping build bipartisan coalitions to balance the federal budget in 1995-96; apply civil rights, fair labor standards and workplace safety laws to Congress; and establish the 9-11 Commission and implement its recommendations. She served as the founding M...

Derek Willis is a news applications developer at ProPublica, focusing on politics and elections. He previously worked as a developer and reporter at The New York Times, a database editor at The Washington Post, and at the Center for Public Integrity and Congressional Quarterly. He began his journalism career at The Palm Beach Post. He is a co-founder of OpenElections, a project to collect and publ...

Derek Willis is a news applications developer at ProPublica, focusing on politics and elections. He previously worked as a developer and reporter at The New York Times, a database editor at The Washington Post, and at the Center for Public Integrity and Congressional Quarterly. He began his journalism career at The Palm Beach Post. He is a co-founder of OpenElections, a project to collect and publ...

Kyle Nevins is a seasoned former top aide to the House Republican Leadership with extensive experience in the process and politics of the U.S. Congress.  He specializes in a wide variety of business community and advocacy issues and has been recognized for his government affairs work by Politico Magazine as one of “50 Politicos to Watch” and The Hill as one of Washington’s “Top Lobbyists.” &n...

Kyle Nevins is a seasoned former top aide to the House Republican Leadership with extensive experience in the process and politics of the U.S. Congress.  He specializes in a wide variety of business community and advocacy issues and has been recognized for his government affairs work by Politico Magazine as one of “50 Politicos to Watch” and The Hill as one of Washington’s “Top Lobbyists.” &n...

Zach Graves is the head of policy at Lincoln Network, where he manages the policy and programming team. His research and advocacy focuses on the intersection of technology and governance issues, including work to strengthen science and technology expertise and capacity in Congress. Before joining Lincoln, he was director of the R Street Institute’s technology and innovation policy program, where h...

Zach Graves is the head of policy at Lincoln Network, where he manages the policy and programming team. His research and advocacy focuses on the intersection of technology and governance issues, including work to strengthen science and technology expertise and capacity in Congress. Before joining Lincoln, he was director of the R Street Institute’s technology and innovation policy program, where h...

Prior to being elected to the House in 2013, Congressman Rodney Davis served as Projects Director for Congressman John Shimkus (IL-15) for 16 years. During his time in Congress, Davis has worked with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to be an effective lawmaker. He has played an integral role in long-term reauthorizations to upgrade our waterway, highway, railway, and aviation systems. Add...

Prior to being elected to the House in 2013, Congressman Rodney Davis served as Projects Director for Congressman John Shimkus (IL-15) for 16 years. During his time in Congress, Davis has worked with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to be an effective lawmaker. He has played an integral role in long-term reauthorizations to upgrade our waterway, highway, railway, and aviation systems. Add...

Since 2007, Mark Strand has been President of the Congressional Institute, overseeing the non-profit founded in 1987 that is dedicated to helping Members of Congress better serve their constituents and helping their constituents better understand the operations of the national legislature. Strand is a 2017 Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics Fellow. He is also an adjunct professor of legi...

Since 2007, Mark Strand has been President of the Congressional Institute, overseeing the non-profit founded in 1987 that is dedicated to helping Members of Congress better serve their constituents and helping their constituents better understand the operations of the national legislature. Strand is a 2017 Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics Fellow. He is also an adjunct professor of legi...

Anthony (Tony) Mills is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, where he studies the federal government’s role in scientific research and innovation (R&D funding and policy) as well as how to integrate scientific expertise into our governing institutions. He also focuses on the relationship between expert knowledge and democratic governance. Dr. Mills is concurrently a senior...

Anthony (Tony) Mills is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, where he studies the federal government’s role in scientific research and innovation (R&D funding and policy) as well as how to integrate scientific expertise into our governing institutions. He also focuses on the relationship between expert knowledge and democratic governance. Dr. Mills is concurrently a senior...

James M Curry is an associate professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Political Science at the University of Utah, and co-director of the Utah Chapter of the Scholars Strategy Network. Curry's research focuses on U.S. politics and policymaking, especially the U.S. Congress. Specifically, he analyzes how contemporary legislative processes and institutions affect legislative...

James M Curry is an associate professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Political Science at the University of Utah, and co-director of the Utah Chapter of the Scholars Strategy Network. Curry's research focuses on U.S. politics and policymaking, especially the U.S. Congress. Specifically, he analyzes how contemporary legislative processes and institutions affect legislative...

Frances E. Lee is jointly appointed in the Department of Politics and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs where she is Professor of Politics and Public Affairs.  Lee has broad interests in American politics, with a special focus on congressional politics, national policymaking, party politics, and representation. She is author of Insecure Majorities: Congress and the...

Frances E. Lee is jointly appointed in the Department of Politics and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs where she is Professor of Politics and Public Affairs.  Lee has broad interests in American politics, with a special focus on congressional politics, national policymaking, party politics, and representation. She is author of Insecure Majorities: Congress and the...

As the head of the Government Affairs team, Kristine Simmons leads the Partnership for Public Service’s education and advocacy work on Capitol Hill, oversees the Center for Presidential Transition and serves as a member of the Partnership’s senior leadership team. Her responsibilities include developing and executing strategies to improve presidential transitions, informing congressional oversight...