House Leaders Launch Program Aimed At Increasing Racial Diversity Of Staffers
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Committee on House Administration Chairman Robert A. Brady announced the development of a new, House-wide diversity initiative. The initiative, developed in consultation with House Republican Leader John Boehner and Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Dan Lungren, will focus on increasing House workforce diversity and opportunities for diverse candidates at all House staff levels. "Diversity is one of America's fundamental strengths and all of our nation's communities are a rich source of exceptional talent,” said Speaker Pelosi. “Drawing from this diverse pool of talent will ensure that the House of Representatives benefits from new and innovative solutions to our complex national challenges. With this new diversity initiative, we not only live up to the basic American ideal of equal opportunity for all, but we strengthen the quality of our workforce. We invite all House Members and offices, from both sides of the aisle, to take advantage of this new vital resource that will enrich our institution." Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami 202-226-7616
“We are pleased to play a role in this groundbreaking new initiative,” said Chairman Brady. “Helping the House reflect the diversity of our nation is an extremely important goal – one that reaches across party lines. We are pleased to be able to provide Members, Committees and House Offices with additional resources to assist with their diversity staffing efforts.”
Initially, the effort will be coordinated and housed within the Committee on House Administration. The Committee will coordinate its efforts with an Advisory Council, which will include members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which collectively make up the House Tri-Caucus, as well as the House Chiefs of Staff Association. The initiative will also include the Democratic Caucus and the Republican Conference through a Legislative Branch Diversity Working Group.
“We strongly support this important first step,” said Representatives Mike Honda, Barbara Lee, and Nydia Velázquez, representing the House Tri-Caucus. “We look forward to working with House Leadership and the Committee on House Administration as well as our Members as this initiative grows, recognizing that much remains to be done to ensure that the staff of the House of Representatives reflects the rich diversity of our nation."
The diversity initiative will include programs to increase recruitment, retention and development of diverse candidates, as well as increase awareness of diversity issues within the House. A Job/Resume Bank will be developed targeting diverse candidates and Diversity Training and Awareness Events will be scheduled. Specific training programs will be developed and scheduled working with Member Chiefs of Staff and Committee Staff Directors.
Informational resources will be created for Member and Committee Offices who will be encouraged to explore ways to expand the diversity of their staffs. In addition, House Officers and Legislative Branch agencies – including the Office of the Clerk, Chief Administrative Officer, Inspector General, Sergeant at Arms, and Acting Architect of the Capitol – will be directed to develop reports outlining the current state of diversity within their organizations, inclusive of current staffing levels and existing diversity programs. These agencies will be asked to submit plans designed to foster diversity at all levels.
