Video of Meeting on Congress and Evidence-Based Policy

The July 17, 2017 meeting of the Legislative Branch Capacity Working Group examined the use of data and analyses in policy-making. Questions considered included: “What are the challenges Congress faces in attempting to implement evidence-based policymaking?” and “How can increasing congressional capacity lead to more (and better) evidenced-based lawmaking?”

This video carries the presentations given, and concludes before the start of the question and answer session with attendees. The featured speakers were Lucas Hitt (Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking), Andrew Reamer (George Washington University), Timothy Shaw (Bipartisan Policy Center), and Kevin R. Kosar (R Street Institute).

Collectively, the panelists described that Congress always has sought data and evidence to help it make policy, but that legislators will disregard that evidence for at least a few reasons: values, parochial and other pluralistic interests, and distrust of the evidence.

In autumn 2017, the Commission on Evidence-Based Policy will release its report, which will advise Congress on how to increase the use of data and research in legislating and oversight.

Materials on evidence-based policymaking

Bipartisan Policy Center, “Congress and Evidence-Based Policymaking: Creating a 21st Century Legislature”

Commission on Evidence-Based Policy website

Sandy Davis and G. William Hoagland, “Bipartisanship? It may be possible thanks to this little-known group,” The Hill

Andrew Reamer presentation on “Congressional Attitudes to Evidence-based Policymaking: An Historical Review”