The premise of Co-Equal is that our government functions best when Congress is an effective and co-equal branch.
The mission of Co-Equal is to share information and institutional knowledge that helps Congress serve the American people effectively and informs the public about Congress’s essential role.
Declining Congressional Resources
In recent decades, deep cuts to congressional staff and support organizations have made it harder for Congress to fulfill its role as a co-equal branch of government. Since 1994, House committee staffs, which are the body’s reservoir of policy expertise, have been slashed by 40%. Congressional support agencies have faced similar cuts, with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) losing over a third of its staff and the Congressional Research Service losing over a quarter.
The personal staffs of Representatives and Senators are talented and hardworking, but they are also pulled in many directions and face high turnover even in senior positions. As of 2019, the median tenure for Capitol Hill staff was just over three years, and most policy staff had only one or two years of experience. Turnover rose to a record level in 2025, with around half of congressional staffers departing their office during the year.
How Co-Equal Can Help
Co-Equal provides reliable, nonpartisan information and deep institutional knowledge that helps Members of Congress and staff serve effectively so Congress can fulfill its constitutional role as a co-equal branch, while also helping the public understand Congress’s powers and role.
The tools of Co-Equal include:
Sharing analyses on Congress’s oversight and legislative powers, procedures, and history
Providing reliable, nonpartisan information on issues of importance to Members of Congress and the public
Sharing institutional knowledge and insights to maximize Congress’s effectiveness, based on the deep congressional experience of Co-Equal’s team
Helping connect Members and offices with leading outside experts
Co-Equal is nonpartisan and nonprofit. Co-Equal does not take positions on issues or advocate for or against particular legislation, policies, or programs.
