North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, was selected as a finalist for the Congressional Management Foundation’s (CMF) Democracy Awards Program in the category of Transparency and Accountability.

The Transparency and Accountability category recognizes offices that provide clear and relevant information on their work and publicly acknowledge metrics for that performance.

“When I ran for Congress, I pledged to families across our district to be transparent and accountable,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “This is a tremendous honor and recognition for our team as we continue to work our hardest to give our constituents more access to the work we do on their behalf. I thank the Congressional Management Foundation for this prestigious designation and will continue working in Congress to ensure that lawmakers are responsive, accountable, and transparent.”

“As a finalist in Transparency and Accountability for a Democracy Award, Rep. Stefanik’s office is clearly one of the best in Congress,” said Bradford Fitch, President and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation. “This designation demonstrates that Rep. Stefanik has made a significant commitment to being the best public servant for her constituents in New York. Rep. Stefanik and her staff are to be congratulated for not only being a model for colleagues in Congress, but for helping to restore trust and faith that our democratic institutions can work,” he said.

In announcing Rep. Stefanik as a finalist for the Democracy Awards, CMF explained why the office was selected:

“As the youngest member of Congress, Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) believes her constituents expect her to be transparent about her work on their behalf. She and her staff meet this demand by publishing all of her legislative votes, along with explanations, on FaceBook within 24 hours; posting her calendar on her website; holding numerous district events; and sharing the House schedule on the website so constituents can share their opinions on upcoming votes. Newly registered voters are sent information on the services the office provides.”

The Democracy Awards Program was launched by the Congressional Management Foundation to recognize exceptional non-legislative achievement in congressional offices. The awards are given to one Republican and one Democrat in four categories: Innovation; Transparency and Accountability; Constituent Service; and a "Life in Congress" award for workplace environment.