The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) conducts research to help people understand how Congress works and how to make it better. They survey Members of Congress and their staff to learn about workplace challenges, job satisfaction, and how Congress functions. Their studies cover topics like work-life balance, office benefits, and how citizens can better engage with their representatives.
CMF has published reports on 'Life in Congress' that examine workplace culture and staff experiences, 'State of the Congress' that tracks how well Congress is working over time, and studies on congressional staff employment and compensation. They also research citizen engagement, looking at how Americans can better communicate with Congress and how technology has changed advocacy. These research reports are available for free download and help academics, advocates, policymakers, and the public understand Capitol Hill better.
The goal is to make Congress more effective, transparent, and responsive to citizens. Most studies are based on surveys of hundreds of congressional staff and Members, providing real insights into how our democracy works behind the scenes.