POPVOX Foundation’s Aubrey Wilson, Director of Global Initiatives, will be testifying to the House Subcommittee on Modernization and Innovation on December 17th. The hearing, “The Future of Constituent Engagement with Congress” will take place at 10 AM ET in 1310 Longworth HOB.

Teletownhalls get written off as canned or impersonal, but they’re an effective way to reach constituents at scale. Ashley Julyan breaks down what makes them work, where they fall short, and how offices can use them to build real connection and trust. voicemailgov.substack.com/p/why-teleto...

Why Teletownhalls Aren’t a Cop Out

Teletownhalls, advertising techniques for outreach at scale, and how the tech available to Congress shapes constituent engagement: interview with Ashley Julyan of the AEJ group

voicemailgov.substack.com

We got in on the #wrapped action.

A small but meaningful push: new funding for AI tools, better casework systems, and real data infrastructure. It’s not flashy, but it matters. As Aubrey Wilson puts it: “We’re celebrating, because it definitely shows we’re starting to get in the right direction.” fedscoop.com/congress-mod...

Legislative branch sees boost for modernization in government spending package

The package offers a glimpse into how Congress is approaching emerging technology in its own offices.

fedscoop.com

Earlier today, POPVOX Foundation & CapitolStrong hosted a thank you event for Congressional staff with coffee, treats, and therapy dog Teddy. From early mornings to late nights, through challenges and crises, Hill staff show up and serve. www.popvox.org/blog/capitol...

A Morning of Gratitude for Hill Staff from POPVOX Foundation and CapitolStrong — POPVOX Foundation

POPVOX Foundation and CapitolStrong hosted a thank you event for Congressional staff, highlighting the coalition’s support for the people who keep Congress running.

popvox.org

A global summit on AI for Parliaments offered a glimpse of how legislatures might operate in 2040 — and why Congress risks slipping behind as peers race ahead. Check out the latest Future-Proofing Congress from @marcidale.bsky.social: futureproofingcongress.substack.com/p/congress-i...

Congress in 2040?

Insights from the global “AI for Parliaments” summit and why US lawmakers can’t afford to fall behind

futureproofingcongress.substack.com

House just cleared the way for offices to share Community Resource Lists — a big win for caseworkers and constituents! Plus: key agency updates, immigration shifts, and federal workforce news shaping casework right now. caseworknavigator.substack.com/p/sharing-co...

Casework Navigator: Sharing community resource lists is now officially House-sanctioned

And your regular roundup of agency news

caseworknavigator.substack.com

With Catherine Szpindor, the Chief Administrative Officer for the House retiring, Congress now faces an AI-driven, post-Chevron moment that makes the next CAO pick a generational choice for its capacity to serve the public. www.popvox.org/blog/continu...

The Path Forward: Continuing the CAO's Legacy of Leadership — POPVOX Foundation

As Catherine Szpindor retires after reshaping the House’s modern infrastructure, Congress enters a high-stakes era where AI, post-Chevron demands, and decades of capacity loss make the next CAO appoin...

popvox.org

A whirlwind week of new AI breakthroughs, autonomous tech shifts, a major White House initiative, and more! Check out a special Thanksgiving editing of Future-Proofing Congress from @marcidale.bsky.social: futureproofingcongress.substack.com/p/the-future...

The Future Won’t Slow Down—But Congress Can Get Ready

A whirlwind week of new AI breakthroughs, autonomous tech shifts, and a major White House initiative

futureproofingcongress.substack.com

“If there had been stronger and more intentional connections between delivery teams and Congressional staff, many programs could have achieved their goals more effectively.” -former 18F employee Learn more about Departure Dialogues and add your insights: popvox.org/departure

The first round of Departure Dialogues captured reflections from federal employees across multiple agencies, revealing patterns that transcend individual departments. Among them: the Paperwork Reduction Act is having the opposite effect. Learn more: popvox.org/departure

Congress is back and there’s real progress to celebrate! 💪 From modernization funding and casework upgrades to new AI guidance and federal workforce insights, a new Future-Proofing Congress covers concrete wins that strengthen how Congress serves. futureproofingcongress.substack.com/p/giving-tha...

Giving Thanks and Celebrating Wins

Legislative victories worth celebrating and a thank you event for all that you do

futureproofingcongress.substack.com

Federal employees who left government service have insights about how Congress can write laws that agencies can implement more effectively. POPVOX Foundation + partners’ Departure Dialogues released its 1st round of findings: www.popvox.org/departure-di...

Departure Dialogues Project — POPVOX Foundation

Departure Dialogues captures insights from former federal employees to help Congress strengthen agency performance and close gaps between policy and practice.

popvox.org

New research shows town halls can do more than spark chaos — they can reduce polarization and rebuild trust. For the latest Voice/Mail, Anne Meeker talked with Michael Neblo and Amy Lee of the Ohio State University’s IDEA. voicemailgov.substack.com/p/the-people...

The People Will Stand and Deliver

If you’re struggling to find faith in American politics and the future of Congress right now, tune in

voicemailgov.substack.com

Offices that treat casework crises as learning opportunities emerge stronger. 💪 The latest Casework Navigator explores how adapting under pressure builds resilience and what caseworkers can learn from today’s wave of constituent challenges. caseworknavigator.substack.com/p/casework-n...

Casework Navigator: This year is strength training, not a marathon

And riding the healthcare casework wave

caseworknavigator.substack.com

Spooky season on the Hill isn’t about ghosts. It’s about the end of the fiscal year! 👻 In the latest Future-Proofing Congress: - staying effective during the shutdown - smart AI use - staff morale boosts - the latest Hill tech updates, and more! futureproofingcongress.substack.com/p/the-spooki...

The Spookiest Season of All

Tips and tricks to stay ahead during the government shutdown

futureproofingcongress.substack.com

The latest Casework Navigator covers key shutdown impacts on agency services, resources for federal employees and contractors, and new developments in casework data and oversight. caseworknavigator.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...

Casework Navigator: Shutdown but not out

Can we send you a casework sticker, as the least we can do to help?

caseworknavigator.substack.com

"Casework is the best thing Congress does. It's this really vital ground floor look at how policy works.” - Anne Meeker, POPVOX Foundation Managing Director www.govexec.com/oversight/20...

A developing database of constituent complaints to Congress could help agencies find systemic issues in their public services

While Capitol Hill staffers help constituents when they have trouble getting assistance from an agency, there’s currently no way to track that information across congressional offices.

govexec.com

Constituent complaints about private companies can be tricky—but help exists! Watch our latest webinar to learn how govt agencies like CFPB handle consumer issues and what Congressional offices should know about key resources for protecting constituents: www.popvox.org/events/consu...

This month’s Future-Proofing Congress dives into staff safety, burnout, AI innovation, and small wins that keep the Hill moving forward. Take a breath and read: futureproofingcongress.substack.com/p/with-great...

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

Staying safe and supported as a Congressional staffer

futureproofingcongress.substack.com

Shutdown planning, safety tips for staff, H-1B updates, and more in this week’s Casework Navigator newsletter. Plus, our rescheduled Consumer Protection webinar with Erie Meyer this Thursday! caseworknavigator.substack.com/p/shutdown-p...

Shutdown Planning, Security Information, and H-1B Fun

And don’t miss our rescheduled Consumer Protection webinar!

caseworknavigator.substack.com

Big ideas, bold announcements, and the next generation of civic technologists: Highlights from the 2025 Congressional Hackathon show how collaboration is driving real progress in modernizing Congress. www.popvox.org/blog/hackath...

Innovation in Action: Highlights from the 2025 Congressional Hackathon — POPVOX Foundation

The Congressional Hackathon 7.0 took place in the Capitol Visitor Center in the US Capitol on September 17, 2025.

popvox.org

"The goal [of Departure Dialogues]: hear from former federal employees about the frustrations they’ve seen through their years of service, and [use] that knowledge to better implement policies and make government work better." www.fedmanager.com/news/platfor...

Platform Gives Departing Feds a Voice on Bottlenecks Between Congress, Agencies — FEDmanager

There is often a disconnect between the laws Congress writes and passes, and how they are implemented in federal agencies. With thousands of federal employees leaving service this year, several groups...

fedmanager.com

In the latest Casework Navigator: - AI “summer camp” for Congress - Departure Dialogues for departing feds - casework insights - HDS’s new casework taxonomy for better constituent services, and more! caseworknavigator.substack.com/p/what-we-di...

What we did over our summer vacation

And the most exciting update EVER from House Digital Services on casework data

caseworknavigator.substack.com

Big step for Congress: A unified data schema for casework will help track constituent issues + spot systemic agency problems! We applaud the House for this groundbreaking move to modernize how Congress learns from the people it serves. Learn more: www.popvox.org/blog/casewor...

“Things that look obvious in the Executive branch...are absolutely mind-blowing over on the Legislative branch.” -@popvoxfdn.bsky.social’s Anne Meeker on why departing federal employees hold the key to better governance & how Departure Dialogues bridges this divide.

Federal News Network@federalnewsnetwork.com · 11mo ago

When feds leave, a new project makes sure their wisdom doesn’t walk out the door with them

NOW HIRING a fully-remote Program Associate to provide administrative and project-management support across all our programs and areas of focus, with a particular emphasis on: - State capacity - Interbranch feedback loops - Future of constituent engagement popvox.org/jobs

Jobs — POPVOX Foundation

POPVOX Foundation is a small, dynamic team of government nerds from around the country who share a passion for making government work better.

popvox.org

To civil servants transitioning out of government: Your institutional knowledge does not have to leave with you. Share your expertise through @popvoxfdn.bsky.social's Departure Dialogues. Your insights could help Congress build more effective government services. Learn more: popvox.org/departure

Spent years implementing federal programs? Your insights matter. Share them securely through Departure Dialogues to help Congress understand what actually works. popvox.org/departure

Departure Dialogues Project — POPVOX Foundation

Departure Dialogues captures insights from former federal employees to help Congress strengthen agency performance and close gaps between policy and practice.

popvox.org

Good politicians don’t just give speeches. They fix the “small” problems that shape daily life. But, Congressional office structures sideline the staff who hear about these problems first. That needs to change. voicemailgov.substack.com/p/legislativ...

How Legislative Office Structure Creates Bad Politics

Why listening to constituents is at the bottom of the priority list

voicemailgov.substack.com