Archives for April 2016

The Library of Congress announced that the legislative information website THOMAS is scheduled to stop functioning on July 5, with Congress.gov to replace its functionality. This will allow the Library to focus all its energy on Congress.gov instead of having also to maintain a very awkward, 21-year-old website.Continue Reading

The Congressional Bulk Data Task Force will meet this Wednesday at 10:30 am in the Legislative Resource Center in the Cannon Building near room 133. The Library of Congress graciously has offered to host the event online– go here after 10:15ish for a live feed.

On the agenda:

• Opening comments
• Discussion — Bill Status XML Files and the draft XML user guide
• Discussion — House Manual and Rules
• Congressional Data Coalition Testimony FY 2017— March 22, 2016
• 2016 Legislative Data and Transparency Conference (June 21)

The OpenGov Foundation hosted the Door Stop Awards yesterday, which recognized the largely (but not entirely) unsung efforts to open the doors of Congress to the American people.

Last night, at the first ever Door Stop Awards last night, six Members of Congress and congressional staff were honored by the open government community for their tireless efforts to drag Congress into the digital age and make the legislative branch more open, responsive, and accountable.Continue Reading

In a time of ad hoc victories, partisanship and short-term thinking, The OpenGov Foundation is excited to announce an award for those who created structural changes inside public institutions that result in long-term transparency. They didn’t just open the door to the public, they installed a door stop to ensure that it never closes again.

Join us for the inaugural Door Stop Awards for Transparency!Date: April 12, 2016
Location: The CTA Innovation House – 21 D St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Time: 5:30 PM— Event begins with light refreshments.
6:00— Awards ceremony.
7:00— Event concludes.

The Door Stop Awards focuses on those who have not only sparked change, but have driven change over time within an incredibly challenging environment. The honor will go to a current or former member of Congress and congressional staffer from each party.

Did you know the Congressional Research Service has published reports on the federal defense budget, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamp) benefits, changes to hemp-growing restrictions and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus? Now you do, thanks to the R Street Institute’s Governance Project.

Using the Scribd digital library service, we have published 20 years of CRS annual reports online, including lists of the reports published by the agency. The report lists are available for viewing and downloading here.Continue Reading