June 17, 2024

Washington, DC – At its Annual Meeting, FMC, a nonprofit that supports Congress by creating bipartisan dialogue led by current and former members of the House and Senate, announced the election of its new Executive Committee, headed by FMC’s new president Barbara Comstock (R-VA, 2015-2019) and new President-Elect Donna Edwards (D-MD, 2008-2017).

“I’m honored to have been elected by my colleagues as FMC’s new President. Our political system feels more strained than ever, especially as we approach the fall of a presidential election year. That’s why it’s crucial for FMC to stay committed to our mission of bipartisanship and continue creating opportunities for connection,” said Comstock. “I want to thank L.F. Payne for a wonderful partnership over the past two years and all his hard work to promote bipartisanship, and look forward to working alongside Donna Edwards as we begin this new term together.”

“After serving as one of FMC’s Vice Presidents for the past four years, I am thrilled to continue my involvement in this organization as the new President-Elect. I hope to use my years of experience in Congress and with FMC to help break through the toxic polarization currently plaguing our nation and foster more dialogue between current and former Members of Congress across party lines,” said Edwards. “Thank you to my colleagues for entrusting me with this responsibility. I am excited to work with my friend and colleague Barbara Comstock as part of this new team.” 

Pete Weichlein, FMC’s CEO, added “Both Barbara and Donna have been active, thoughtful and dedicated board members for many years, and the entire FMC team is extremely excited to implement with them our shared vision for FMC’s success.  Bipartisanship and protecting our democratic institutions are at the core of FMC’s mission, and our entire membership is united behind Barbara and Donna as we aim to be a voice of reason, calm and civility during these hyper-partisan times.”

In addition to her role at FMC, Comstock serves as Senior Advisor at Baker Donelson and is an ABC News Contributor, and previously founded "The Young Women's Leadership Program" for women in high school and junior high, which is now housed at the Barbara Comstock Institute for Women in Leadership at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government. Edwards is a political analyst for NBC/MSNBC and serves as a trustee of the Park Foundation and on the board of the League of Conservation Voters. Prior to serving in Congress, Edwards was involved in leadership at numerous non-profit organizations, including as co-founder of the National Network to End Domestic Violence and executive director of the Arca Foundation.

Comstock and Edwards are the 39th President and President-Elect of FMC and will serve in their new positions from 2024-2026. After the two years are complete, Edwards will officially be elected as the new President of FMC, and a Republican Former Member will be elected to serve as President-Elect. FMC alternates these positions between the two parties as a nod to the organization’s bipartisan focus. Comstock previously served as President-Elect from 2022-2024, and Edwards was the Democratic Vice President of FMC from 2020-2024.

FMC’s Executive Committee, which oversees the Board of Directors and makes decisions about the organization’s overall strategic posture, also includes returning Republican Vice President Dennis Ross (R-FL, 2011-2019), newly elected Democratic Vice President Loretta Sanchez (D-CA, 1997-2017), and Immediate Past President L.F. Payne (D-VA, 1988-1997).

Originally chartered by Congress in 1983 as the official alumni group for Former Members of Congress, FMC has since expanded its responsibilities to include a variety of programs focused on supporting the institution of Congress and fostering bipartisan cooperation. Some of FMC’s cornerstone programs include Congress to Campus, which brings bipartisan pairs of Former Members to colleges and universities around the country to educate students about the institution, and the Congressional Study Groups, which connect current Members of Congress and their offices with their counterparts in Germany, Japan, Korea, and the EU, as well as with key transnational business leaders and Embassies. Additionally, FMC aims to support efforts to ensure election security, as well as democracy strengthening initiatives.

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