Partnership for Public Service and Leading Civil Society Groups Launch CapitolStrong to Support the U.S. Congress and its Public Servants

January 15, 2021

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service joined leading civil society groups today to launch CapitolStrong (CapitolStrong.org), an initiative to support and recognize the congressional and service staff working in the U.S. Capitol, and to create a space to repair and rebuild trust in our democratic institutions following the violent attack that transpired on Jan. 6, 2021.

The rioting and mayhem that occurred at the Capitol last week has left an ugly scar on our country and our democracy. The attack by those seeking to overturn the presidential election through the use of force and intimidation caused the loss of life, threatened the safety of lawmakers and staff, and further inflamed the nation’s political divisions. 

CapitolStrong was formed to foster a meaningful dialogue on how our country can begin to repair and recover from this assault on our democracy. This coalition of civil society organizations will strengthen and invest in the institution of Congress and the people who serve there, beginning with a close collaboration with Capitol Hill offices to provide resources for congressional employees at all levels.

“Congressional and service staff working on Capitol Hill should never feel that their lives are in danger. These public servants have committed to serve our country and are the lifeblood of our democratic system of government,” said Kristine Simmons, vice president of government affairs at the Partnership for Public Service.

Simmons continued, “Our democratic institutions work because of the diverse, talented and committed individuals who dedicate themselves to public service. The Partnership for Public Service is proud to join CapitolStrong and to support those who serve with honor and purpose each day to strengthen the institution of Congress and the public it serves.”

CapitolStrong Participating Organizations:

• Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation
• Bipartisan Policy Center
• Bipartisan Policy Center Action
• College to Congress
• Congressional Management Foundation
• The Faith and Politics Institute
• The GovLab
• Issue One
• Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
• LegiDash
• NALEO Educational Fund
• Partnership for Public Service
• POPVOX
• Representative Democracy
• R Street Institute
• TechCongress
• Tom Manatos Jobs
• United States Capitol Historical Society

Visit CapitolStrong.org to take action and show support for congressional and service staff. You can follow the work of this initiative on Twitter @CapitolStrong and on Instagram @capitol_strong, and subscribe to receive email updates on CapitolStrong.org. 

CapitolStrong wants to hear from congressional and service staffers working on Capitol Hill. Please take this survey to share reflections and recommendations or email capitolstrong@ourpublicservice.org to start a conversation.

About CapitolStrong

CapitolStrong is a coalition of civil society organizations working to strengthen and invest in the institution of Congress and the people who serve there. We are coming together at this critical moment for our nation to support and recognize the congressional and service staff working in the U.S. Capitol, and to create a space to repair and rebuild trust in our democratic institutions.

About the Partnership for Public Service

During the past 19 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to making the federal government more effective. We work across administrations to help transform the way government operates by increasing collaboration, accountability, efficiency and innovation. Visit opswebdev.wpengine.com to learn more.     

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