CRS director says he created new technology division to reduce silos and support legislative work

During the same congressional exchange (date not specified in the transcript), Director Donfried described an internal organizational realignment intended to break down silos and better integrate technology into CRS’s legislative support.

Donfried said CRS combines subject-matter expertise with functional expertise—policy, legal, and legislative procedure—and can bring those perspectives together for complex questions. Reflecting on his early tenure, he said he adjusted the organizational chart and "created a new division that is focused on the role technology can play in the legislative work that we do." He described that change as a response to seeing people performing similar functions in different parts of the organization.

The division’s stated purpose is to coordinate technology and policy work—improving efficiency, reducing duplication of functions, and helping analysts use technical tools. Donfried presented the realignment as an operational decision already implemented last year rather than a new proposal under consideration.

No formal staffing numbers, budget changes or specific implementation timeline were provided in the exchange; Donfried framed the move as an internal realignment designed to improve collaboration between policy experts and CRS’s IT and technology staff.

The lawmaker closed the exchange by thanking CRS staff in the room for their work.