TechCongress
 | This article reads like a press release or a news article and may be largely based on routine coverage. (April 2018) |
| Founder | Travis Moore |
|---|---|
| Services | Fellowship |
| Website | www |
TechCongress is a technology policy fellowship associated with the US Congress created by Travis Moore.[1] Tech experts and professionals spend one year with relevant Members or Committees in the House and Senate. The fellowship's goal is helping Congress aim for more informed decisions regarding technology and policy by allowing Congress to gain technical insight. At present, only 6 out of 15,000 staffers have a technical background.[2]
Background
[edit]Travis Moore founded the fellowship as a solution to some of the issues he witnessed in his six years of experience in the House of Representatives,[3][4] working for former Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) [3]
TechCongress used an Indiegogo campaign to get seed funding for the fellowship.[1] A total sum of $8,000 was raised in the first year.[1] In 2022, the program was expanded due to a $2.5 million investment from the Knight Foundation.[5]
It invites a wide variety of individuals with different backgrounds to be part of the fellowship. Fellows mainly come from technical backgrounds, involving work in the private sector.
Fellows are placed into different governmental bodies.[6] They have a chance to work in the office of a member, committee, or a congressional support agency. Participants receive an $82,400 stipend for service as well as reimbursements for relocation, travel and health insurance.[3] The fellowship lasts one year.[3]
Impact
[edit]The program has supported over 100 fellows in various Congressional offices who have worked on legislation related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, technology procurement, modernization efforts, open government.[5][7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Overly, Steven (2015-07-09). "Ex-Hill staffer aims to boost tech pipeline to Capitol Hill". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
- ^ McLaughlin, Jenna (2017-02-28). "Congress May Lack Technical Expertise to Properly Investigate Russian Hacking". The Intercept. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
- ^ a b c d Bowman, Bridget (2015-10-06). "Bridging Technology and Policy, One Fellow at a Time". Roll Call. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
- ^ Ullman, Grayson (2015-10-19). "TechCongress fellowship will station tech experts in congressional offices - Fedscoop". Fedscoop. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
- ^ a b "TechCongress to place more technologists in Congress with a $2.5M investment from Knight Foundation". Knight Foundation. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ Chappellet-Lanier, Tajha (2017-08-22). "Congress needs more tech expertise. This fellowship is trying to help out - Fedscoop". Fedscoop. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
- ^ "Key Congress staffers in AI debate are funded by tech giants like Google and Microsoft". POLITICO. Retrieved 2025-06-24.