William Timmons (R-SC)
Congressional Evidence-Based Policymaking Resolution
A Republican resolution with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
A concurrent resolution is how the House and the Senate settle something they do together, such as a budget plan or a joint session. It is adopted once both chambers agree to it, and that puts it into effect; it is not a law, so it does not go to the President.
What this bill would do
This resolution establishes the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking within the legislative branch. The Commission is tasked with reviewing, analyzing, and making recommendations to promote the use of Federal data for evidence-building and policymaking. It consists of 12 members appointed by leadership from both the House and the Senate. The group will also employ a Director and a specific number of staff members. Ultimately, the Commission must submit a final report by the end of the 119th Congress.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The Commission aims to improve access to Federal data and make it more open and accessible.
- Scored +2
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The Commission is tasked with increasing data privacy expertise within Congress.
- Scored +2
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The Commission will seek ways to increase data privacy expertise in Congress.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The resolution authorizes the appropriation of funds to support the Commission's operations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Policy Effectiveness: The Commission will study how Congress can encourage Federal agencies to prioritize evidence on the effectiveness of major new programs and reauthorizations (Section 2(g)(1)(A)). This could lead to more successful government programs.
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Increased Data Accessibility: The Commission is tasked with looking at how Federal agencies can help States make data more open and accessible (Section 2(g)(1)(B)). This could benefit the public and state-level entities through better access to information.
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Better Access to Information: The Commission will consider how to improve access to administrative and survey data for evidence building (Section 2(g)(1)(C)).
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Modernized Lawmaking: The Commission will explore ways to incorporate real-time, structured, integrated, and machine-readable data into the lawmaking process (Section 2(g)(1)(E)). This could lead to more modern and efficient legislative processes.
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Increased Expertise: The Commission will look for ways to increase data and data privacy expertise in Congress by incorporating technologists, data scientists, and privacy experts (Section 2(g)(1)(G)). This could lead to more informed and secure policy decisions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Government Spending: The resolution authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the Commission's work (Section 2(i)). This represents an expenditure of public funds.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The Commission aims to improve access to Federal data and make it more open and accessible. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The Commission is tasked with increasing data privacy expertise within Congress.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The Commission will seek ways to increase data privacy expertise in Congress.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would high-income households be better off under this? — Increased government efficiency and data-driven policymaking can marginally improve national economic management.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The resolution authorizes the appropriation of funds to support the Commission's operations.
- 11/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/23/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/13/2025
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio
Blake MooreRepublican · Utah
Brittany PettersenDemocrat · Colorado
Rudy YakymRepublican · Indiana