From Resistance to Resilience

Congress is the world's most powerful representative assembly. Yet it fails to question the actions of a President who flouts laws, eliminates congressionally established agencies, and manipulates funds that only Congress can authorize and appropriate.

Here's the good news. The American people don't need to wait for Congress to act.  We can start now and lead the way through the current chaos. 

In times of constitutional challenge, political leaders and everyday citizens must affirm and strengthen the institutions that make democratic governance possible. Our Founders designed the U.S. House of Representatives to connect ordinary citizens to federal power. It is our most all-embracing governing institution, and its role as a check on the executive branch is essential to upholding the rule of law, our way of life, and our democracy.

This guide provides a practical approach to addressing concerns about presidential overreach by leveraging Congress's capacities. It proposes using Civil Society Field Hearings, which empower communities to harness shared intelligence with democratic participation, strengthen oversight, and create a public record that holds elected leaders accountable. This model is rooted in local engagement. It aims to foster governance where elected officials are active community members rather than distant targets of criticism. 

The instructions here focus on the US House of Representatives.  The idea is to simulate innovative governance alongside existing systems—an approach made possible by recent advancements in technology and data reforms. Civil Society can build public trust in these approaches by demonstrating effective new practices. Ideally, Congress will eventually integrate these demonstrations into its official workflow. In the meantime, the Civil Society Field Hearings will be a political opposition strategy and part of a national pro-democracy movement. 

An official field hearing is a method Congress uses to gain "on the ground" perspectives on an issue. It is a feedback mechanism that began on the front lines during the Civil War. Today, committees in Congress convene field hearings across the USA to include more local perspectives in the deliberative process. Similarly, Civil Society Field Hearings–though not official– will be initiated and organized in communities and feature local civic voices. 

Mahatma Gandhi emphasized that protest must be paired with constructive programs—approaches that build alternative systems rather than reflexively opposing oppression. Constructive programs complement direct action and reduce dependence on oppressive systems by promoting self-reliance, education, and community empowerment. Civil Society Field Hearings represent this constructive approach to democratic renewal.

Civil Society Field Hearings will be a decentralized demonstration of modern governance. Like a second track alongside the House of Representatives, they are a constructive program and an imaginary space for what emerges next. 

The COVID-19 pandemic showed how Congress can quickly adapt to maintain its representative duties during a crisis. Throughout the pandemic, members voted by proxy, introduced legislation electronically, and held committee hearings online—dramatically increasing witness diversity and expanding participation

These lessons point toward a resilient approach: using technology and decentralization to strengthen our democratic institutions. By moving some congressional functions online and into states, we can create a more accessible, inclusive system of governance that successfully continues through volatility and challenge.

• Electronic submission of legislation 
• Remote witness testimony with a 100% increase in witness diversity (preliminary conference research) 
• Competency in using remote technology in all offices 
• Proxy voting capabilities (temporary) 
• Online committee hearings accessible nationwide 
• Nationwide collaborative editing of law prototyped 
• Artificial Intelligence guidelines to test drive the tool in the House of Representatives 
• House rules that allow members to partner with civil society for constituent services 
• Communications standards updated from analog to digital 
• Standardization of labeling and the format of documents 
• Increasing the searchability of congressional data

Civil Society Field Hearings differ from town halls. Because they simulate an official process, they are a more formal and curated method of gathering community input, creating a record, and connecting local experience to national decision-making.  They build on the civic momentum generated by Town Halls and resistance actions against the overreaching executive branch. For example, individuals who have organized actions or spoken up at town halls might be willing to contribute to a Civil Society Field Hearing.

Civil Society refers to the networks of groups, communities, and associations between individuals and government—clubs, non-profit organizations, task forces, and membership organizations. It exists nationwide. This guide shows how Civil Society can take the lead in holding elected representatives accountable and demonstrates how Congress can effectively check executive power.

Whether official or community-initiated, field hearings allow your representative to fulfill three  roles:

• A connector and moderator of federal power
• A community member
• A civic information provider

Because Civil Society Field Hearings will be initiated locally by the community and centered on local civic voice, member attendance is desirable but not mandatory.  The most important outcomes are:

• Building solidarity and relationships while working together to strengthen democracy 
• Establishing a "Congressional Record" of Civic Voice 
• Generating a visible profile for civic action and the defense of democracy
• Renewing a democratic value that the people closest to a problem should help solve the problem 

Congress plays a key role in overseeing the executive branch by reviewing public policy implementation, often through committee hearings that evaluate programs, address issues, and ensure agency accountability. Similarly, Civil Society Field Hearings aim to gather community input. 

1. Rights: Congress is the heart of Article One in the U.S. Constitution—first among equals in our three branches of government. The First Amendment allows citizens to petition to redress grievances and assemble peacefully. Civil Society Field Hearings leverage these institutional prerogatives to strengthen democratic participation.
2. Rules: The foundational premise underlying the rule of law is maintaining checks and balances between the three branches of government. Congress must be fully functional and have the capacity and will to hold the executive accountable. Internally, Congress has adopted new technology, adapted rules, and increased its representative potential.
3. Reputation: Civil Society Field Hearings provide authentic shared knowledge and lived experiences to inform decision-making. Americans across the USA have unique expertise, and many are willing to share their knowledge for the public good. These hearings identify and elevate these voices.
4. Record: The Congressional Record (CR) is Congress's official documentation, preserving debates and proceedings. It holds the memory of our democratic republic and provides primary material for historical learning and contemporary lawmaking. Civil Society Field Hearings create a civic voice record, collected by communities and preserved digitally.
5. Rooms: Congress doesn't require its marble buildings for Civil Society Field Hearings. Districts nationwide offer suitable public spaces—libraries, schools, parks, amphitheaters, community centers, church social rooms, grange halls, or VFW posts—that can host civic events.
6. Recognition: Testifying before Congress is an honor that acknowledges the importance of citizen input in the world's most influential legislature. Civil Society Field Hearings demonstrate how the People's House can hear and value more local voices, shaping and co-owning our nation's institutional memory and our data for evidence-based lawmaking.
7. Representation: Members of Congress derive their leadership confidence and capacity for action through representative duties. An active, supportive constituency based in the district is the currency of power that can persevere and prevail against narrow vested interests and an aggressive executive branch intent on skewing the balance of power. 

• GovTrack: Member Votes and Legislation 
• Public Disclosure: Repository of member newsletters 
• Tracking the Funds: Government Accountability Office record of  community grants in districts across the USA 
• My Congressional District Census: An interactive tool for district statistics 
• U.S. Constitution Annotated: Legal analysis of the Constitution 
• Congressional Research Service: Policy research resources 
• Congressional Budget Office: Budget proposal information 
• A Presidential Executive Order Tracker
• A map of local impacts. 

Compelling testimony is crucial to a successful Civil Society Field Hearing. Witness selection should represent a cross-section of community perspectives with relevant expertise. 

• Individuals in the community impacted by recent Executive Orders   
• A local attorney, retired judge, civics educator, or former member who can provide testimony on the role of Congress in our federal system,  the importance of laws, and the dangers of executive overreach and constitutional crisis. 
• State and local government officials often have first-hand information. 
• Veterans can speak as a public servant and/or person deployed to protect democracy.
• Non-profit leaders or union members can explain the impact of the cuts to public programs. 
• Federal employees who have been fired can make the loss visible
• Health professionals can speak to the impact of research and science cuts
• Park personnel can address loss and damage to public lands
• Community member who has been active, visible, and vocal about the dangers of our democratic crisis 
• Local business owners, who are impacted by the ripple effect of budget cuts or tariffs
• Small farm operators and other rural business owners in the supply chain

Preparation materials should include clear guidelines on format, time limits, and submission requirements.  Materials should clearly state that the event will be recorded. Witnesses should prepare written testimony of 500-1000 words. (1-4 pages) that can be delivered in 5-7 minutes.  Please have a look at the Witness Prep document for details. At the top of the document, please include:

• Witness name,
• The date that the Civil Society Field Hearing took place
• The congressional district number code (i.e., AZ02 is Arizona’s second district), which you can find at  Govtrack.us

Focus testimony on how policies affect the community, especially the members' constituents. Maintain decorum, answer questions respectfully, and provide compelling evidence. 

Here are:

• Invitation to Member
• Press Release
• Finding Witnesses
• Possible Questions for Witnesses
• Witness Prep Guidelines
• Recording and Submitting Witness Testimony
• Room Prep Guidelines
• Moderator Guidelines
• Information Resources
• Take Action Learn More

• Select an accessible venue suitable for formal proceedings. Consider a location with security. 
• Identify a qualified moderator (local civic leader, educator, trained facilitator, or former elected official).
• Define organizing leadership roles with clear responsibility for congressional staff contact. 
• Create a run-of-show with timeframes for each segment.  
• Develop an audiovisual plan and consider live streaming. Video can be transcribed and/or archived at Internet Archive. 

Please take a look at the appendices for details on the above items.