The National Court Reporters Association Political Action Committee (NCRA PAC) has launched its first nationwide congressional candidate survey, inviting campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate to share their positions on reliable court records, responsible oversight of AI transcription, and investment in America’s court reporting and captioning workforce.
“Reliable court records and the expertise of trained professionals matter to the people our members serve every day,” said NCRA President Cathy L. Penniston, M.A., RPR, CRI, a court reporting instructor and broadcast captioner from Waukee, Iowa. “This survey brings those priorities directly to congressional campaigns and supports NCRA’s long-term work to strengthen the profession’s voice in federal policy.”
The PAC sent survey invitations to 718 distinct campaign contact email addresses drawn from Federal Election Commission filings. Those addresses were associated with 910 Democratic and GOP campaign records in the outreach list.
The initiative represents a new step in the PAC’s long-term planning to expand its congressional presence and activities within NCRA’s broader government relations efforts. By opening conversations before the election, the PAC aims to identify potential legislative partners and establish relationships that can continue into the next Congress.
“A stronger presence in Washington, D.C. will grow from the relationships we build and maintain over time,” said Isaiah Leslie, cochair of the NCRA PAC Governing Board and a firm owner from Southern California. “This first nationwide survey is an investment in that work. It gives NCRA PAC a broader starting point for engaging candidates and carrying our members’ priorities into the next Congress.”
Campaigns received a 12-question survey and a companion briefing explaining the policy issues, relevant federal legislation, and documented examples of recording and transcription problems. The questionnaire begins by asking candidates about their familiarity with professional court reporters, court transcripts, and the consequences of an incomplete or inaccurate record. Those answers will help identify briefing needs.
It then asks candidates about federal priorities, including the Research and Oversight of AI in Courts Act of 2026, introduced as H.R. 7997 and S. 4154. The introduced bills would establish a task force to examine AI transcription in the judicial system and recommend reforms addressing accuracy, privacy, security, and the integrity of court records.
Separate survey questions address federal investment in American court reporting and captioning education; access to qualified human court reporters; professional verification and certification of official transcripts; and safeguards for sensitive judicial information. Candidates are also asked about preserving source records, documenting chain of custody, disclosing AI use, and retaining competency, confidentiality, and accountability standards.
“Our members bring firsthand knowledge of what accurate court records and effective captioning require,” said Darlene M. Devlin, cochair of the NCRA PAC Governing Board and an official court reporter from Patchogue, N.Y.. “We want that experience to shape conversations on Capitol Hill. Asking candidates and incumbents alike specific questions and offering briefings can help turn shared concerns into lasting relationships and opportunities for legislative action.”
The survey also moves beyond policy positions to ask what candidates would be willing to do if elected or reelected. Options include sponsoring legislation, supporting education funding, requesting oversight hearings, meeting with NCRA members and educators, and designating a policy staff contact. Campaigns may also request a 15-minute briefing or ask to reconnect after the election.
“We are building a process that connects candidate outreach to policy briefings, staff relationships, and legislative follow-through,” said NCRA PAC Administrator and NCRA State Government Relations Manager Colin Brehm. “Under the NCRA Government Relations umbrella, this survey supports our long-term effort to expand the PAC’s reach and turn those connections into sustained engagement for our members’ priorities.”
Candidates or authorized campaign representatives can complete the survey by replying directly to the outreach email. The estimated completion time is three to four minutes, with responses requested by October 27. Responses will help NCRA PAC identify legislative partners and arrange follow-up, and answers may be quoted publicly. Participation does not constitute an endorsement or a commitment of financial support.
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