As we close out 2024, we want to express our immense gratitude to each of you. Your efforts have made our constitutional democracy more resilient, and we look forward to continuing this work with you in the new year. In this month’s newsletter, we share legislative achievements this year, resources for communicating about civic culture, and opportunities to get involved in 2025. 

2024 Legislative Wrap-Up

Over the past two years, Congress considered legislation aligned with several Our Common Purpose recommendations. These bills expire at the end of the 118th Congress and some may be reintroduced in the next session. Highlights include:  

• Multi-Member House Districts - The Fair Representation Act (H.R. 7740), which was re-introduced last March, would create multi-member districts with proportional ranked choice voting for Congressional elections. In addition, a resolution (H.R. 1573) was introduced in the House in November to establish a bi-partisan select committee to consider alternatives to our nation’s current winner-take-all electoral system. 

• U.S. Supreme Court Term Limits - A Senate joint resolution was introduced this month by Senators Joe Manchin (WV) and Peter Welch (VT) to establish 18-year terms by constitutional amendment. Legislation to establish term limits for U.S. Supreme Court justices by statute was introduced in the House (H.R. 4423 and H.R. 5566) and Senate (S. 3096) earlier this term. 

• Civic Bridging - The Building Civic Bridges Act (H.R. 7698 and S. 4196) would establish an Office of Civic Bridgebuilding within the Corporation for National and Community Service to support civic bridgebuilding programs and activities across the nation. The bipartisan Preventing Political Violence Act (H.R. 10091) was introduced in the House in November to establish a federal inter-agency task force to respond to and prevent political violence.  

• National Service and Civic Education - There were several pieces of legislation introduced during the current Congress to invest in or recognize the importance of national service or civic education.  

Stories From The Field

Where Will They All Sit?

OCP Champion Protect Democracy and POPVOX Foundation released a new report and website exploring the physical and architectural changes needed to modernize the U.S. Capitol Campus for the 21st century, and explaining why expanding the House of Representatives represents a key strategy for modernizing the chamber.

CSIS Report Shares Lessons for Integrating Civics in STEM Education.

In a new report, the Center for Strategic & International Studies argues that reinvigorating civic knowledge and civics skills has become a national security imperative. The report offers actionable recommendations for integrating civic knowledge and responsibility into STEM education. 

CLC Report Examines Top Risks Facing State Ethics Commissions.

In a new report, Campaign Legal Center offers a blueprint for State Ethics Commissions to combat threats. 

2024 Election Brings Wave of Young Congressional Leaders.

OCP Champion Future Caucus analyzes the surge of Gen Z and millennial leaders who will join the 119th U.S. Congress in 2025. 

In The News

Senators Propose Amendment to Establish Supreme Court Term Limits.

Senators Joe Manchin and Peter Welch introduced a constitutional amendment that would restrict future Supreme Court justices to 18-year terms. Fix the Court examines the proposed amendment. 

Stephen Heintz on Giving Done Right: Donors Should Focus on Nurturing Civic Engagement.

Appearing on the Giving Done Right podcast, OCP cochair Stephen Heintz spoke about what Trump’s victory means for nonprofits and donors focused on bolstering democracy. 

Eric Liu on NPR: How to Coexist with People Who Vote Differently.

OCP cochair Eric Liu spoke with NPR's Michael Martin about how to coexist in community with people who vote differently. 

Looking Beyond the Electoral College.

A recent piece in The New Republic relies on the Academy’s report, The Case for Enlarging the House of Representatives, arguing that enlarging the House should be a bigger priority for reformers than eliminating the Electoral College. 

Should More Seats be Added to the Ohio Statehouse?

The Academy’s Jon Cohen and Jessica Lieberman joined Ohio State Senator Bill Blessing and professor Daniel Bowen on WOSU’s All Sides with Anna Staver to discuss the merits of adding seats to the Ohio Statehouse and Congress. 

Get Involved

Civic Culture: Messaging & Storytelling Guidance.

Want to build your skills as an effective narrator of civic culture? Check out this set of resources from Citizen University to sharpen your skills.

Join 250 Con.

The American Association for State and Local History invites you to 250 Con, a galvanizing event to learn about national and state planning opportunities, identify actionable ways to participate, and join peers in generating enthusiasm for America’s 250th anniversary. 

DATE: February 27-28, 2025 | Register Here 

Deadline Extended: Boston Changemaker Fellowship.

The deadline for GenUnity’s Spring ‘25 application fellowship programs on Health Equity and Housing Justice has been extended to Friday, January 10, 2025. Apply here.

Want to have your event or opportunity featured in the next newsletter? Email us!