What kind of Congress do we want and need? What will it take to reform Congress?

The Miller Center approaches these questions from five decades of research on the American presidency, work that consistently indicates that challenges facing the executive branch are closely intertwined with those afflicting Congress.

While many Americans share deep concerns over institutional gridlock and national polarization, there is little consensus on what kind of Congress we want. Building on insights from the Miller Center’s 2023 and 2025 Conference on the American Presidency, this gathering brings together scholars, practitioners, and journalists to explore and advance pragmatic, nonpartisan solutions where the presidency and Congress overlap.

The Miller Center aims to move the needle on congressional reform by bringing together key stakeholders already dedicated to the cause of a more representative and effective Congress. Efforts are underway to improve capacity, modernize operations, and shift structural incentives away from standoff and stalemate toward compromise and legislative action.

Conference participants will look “inside” Congress at internal, institutional reforms focused on the federal budget and appropriations processes and on congressional oversight. And looking “outside” the institution, panelists will discuss public-facing reforms to redistricting, election methods, and representation to better align Congress with the American people beyond Capitol Hill.

By examining historical moments when Congress successfully reformed itself and exploring possibilities for future reforms, the goal for this conference is to offer a realistic roadmap for change that strengthens our democracy. As our country marks its 250th anniversary, this is a timely moment to reflect on 250 years of legislative history and the state of our institutions today. After all, the first words of the Declaration of Independence are “In Congress.”