Each year, TechCongress recruits and places technologists in Congress to help lawmakers navigate the rapidly-evolving technology landscape. By pairing deep technical expertise with hands-on legislative experience, fellows receive on-the-job education about the ins and outs of Congress while contributing to its long-term technical capacity, ensuring lawmakers have the informed, multidisciplinary support they need to write—and implement—effective technology policy.
Over the course of their fellowship, early and mid-career technologists translate their area of expertise into meaningful legislative action, from improving cybersecurity and advancing data privacy to implementing newer technologies and modernizing critical infrastructure.
At the core of TechCongress’s mission is building an enduring pipeline of civic technologists who can sustain Congress’s ability to meet the challenges of an increasingly technology-driven world. To date, TechCongress has placed 130 fellows on Capitol Hill, with 30 of those fellows moving on to become full-time congressional staffers. This year, 5 more fellows are joining their ranks as they also transition into full-time roles, bringing the total number of TechCongress alumni serving as staffers to 35.
In this post, we’re excited to spotlight Connor Sandagata, Dhruv Kathuria, Ilona Bodnar, Joshua Chavez and Rahul Hebbar, and share the work they’ll be doing in their new legislative staff positions.
Connor Sandagata
Office: Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)
Title: Policy Advisor
Portfolio: AI, Tech, Innovation, Export Controls, Data Center Permitting
DHRUV kathuria
Office: Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Title: Legislative Assistant
Portfolio: Labor and Trade, Commerce and Manufacturing, Consumer Protection, Telecommunications, Emerging Technologies
ilona bodnar
Committee: U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Title: Technical Policy Advisor
Portfolio: Emerging Technologies (Quantum, AI), Tech Procurement, Cybersecurity
joshua chavez
Office: Rep. John J. McGuire III (R-VA)
Title: Legislative Assistant
Portfolio: Defense Technology, Cybersecurity, Telecommunications, Trade
rahul hebbar
Office: House Foreign Affairs Committee
Title: Professional Staff Member
Portfolio: Emerging Technology Export Controls, Global Technology Standards, Internet Freedom & Countering Foreign Censorship