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Celebrating Congressional Excellence: Democracy Awards 2025

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Celebrating Congressional Excellence: Democracy Awards 2025
United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Photo by Alejandro Barba on Unsplash
Hugo Balta
By Hugo BaltaSep 16, 2025
Hugo Balta
Hugo Balta is a journalist, educator, and communicator. Hugo is the executive editor of the Fulcrum and a board member of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund, the parent organization of The Fulcrum. He is the publisher of the Latino News Network, a trainer with the Solutions Journalism Network, and an adjunct professor teaching journalism courses.
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In a moment of bipartisan celebration, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) will honor the winners of its 2025 Democracy Awards, spotlighting congressional offices that exemplify outstanding public service, operational excellence, and innovation in governance.

The ceremony, scheduled for this Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C., will recognize both Republican and Democratic offices across multiple categories, reinforcing the idea that excellence in Congress transcends party lines.

“These offices demonstrate that excellence in public service is not only possible, it is already happening,” said CMF CEO Jen Daulby. “These winners remind us of what Congress can be at its best”.

Among the categories and winners are:

Best in Bipartisan Engagement & Collaboration

  • Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23)
  • Rep. Don Davis (D-NC-01)

These offices demonstrated that meaningful progress is possible through cross-party cooperation.

Best in Innovation & Modernization

  • Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05)
  • Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI)

Honored for implementing groundbreaking strategies that improved efficiency and responsiveness.

The full list of the 2025 Democracy Awards winners can be found on the CMF website.

The Democracy Awards are more than accolades—they’re a blueprint for what effective, citizen-centered governance can look like. Offices self-nominate and undergo a rigorous evaluation process, culminating in selection by an independent committee.

The Bridge Alliance Education Fund, which funds the Fulcrum, is a co-founder of CMF’s Democracy Awards.

Hugo Balta is the executive editor of the Fulcrum and the publisher of the Latino News Network.


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