Comments for GovTrack.us Blog

Comment on Cosponsors disappeared! (They’re back now.) by Josh Tauberer

Josh Tauberer — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:47:31 +0000

George, that’s definitely not true. I know people that work at the Library of Congress (where THOMAS comes from) and they work hard to disseminate accurate information about Congress as best they can. To the extent they’re not doing more, it’s a matter of prioritizing the budget against other things the Library does, and fulfilling the mission Congress has given to them.

Comment on Cosponsors disappeared! (They’re back now.) by George LeGault

George LeGault — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:43:49 +0000

I am relatively new to this site, but from what I can see you guys are doing a great job. I don’t think that the “THOMAS” site doesn’t see the value in public information, but rather they don’t want the public to see the information. For so long the Congress has been able to operate with its constituents being in the dark, but since the internet is so quick and widely used they are all running for cover. I am glad for services like yours that give transparency to Congress, so I can see for myself what is really going on. I think if more voters knew what was really happening this country would straighten out in short order. Keep up the good work!

Comment on Congressional Staff Salaries by Hypatia

Hypatia — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:04:36 +0000

Staffers should be paid more than a measley $31,951. Cost of living in DC is horrendous. Is pay kept low because these jobs are regarded as stepping-stones? Does this encourage staffers to do good job?

Comment on Cosponsors disappeared! (They’re back now.) by Guy

Guy — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:53:54 +0000

Can you please add a feature allowing you to sort results by the number of cosponsors? I always though it’d be interesting. Of course, you’d need to make that a percentage, or there’ll be a bias towards House bills.

Comment on Kill Bill: Bills not enacted after passage by Congress by Josh Tauberer

Josh Tauberer — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:18:20 +0000

Indeed. The count is 9,079 bills & resolutions since the start of the 2009 legislative session.

Comment on Kill Bill: Bills not enacted after passage by Congress by Joyce Smith

Joyce Smith — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:08:36 +0000

Was 6,000+ bills/resolutions introduced in just one year – 2009? I really want to know.

If so, no wonder the Congressmen didn’t have time to look after our best interest.

Awaiting your answer.

Comment on If the House version is defeated, does the Senate bill die too? by Josh Tauberer

Josh Tauberer — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:14:29 +0000

I will post an answer to this in a new blog post momentarily. Thanks for the question!

Comment on Delivering the H.R. 45 &amp;amp;quot;Group Letter&amp;amp;quot; by Bill Stafford

Bill Stafford — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 05:38:26 +0000

Gloria Webb suggested attending Town Hall Meetings. This is a great way to keep informed. And some good questions may be asked, BUT you have to wait your turn and hope to be called on. Then there is the vast waste of time fomented by those who ask the inane, senseless questions just to bask briefly in the spotlight of questioning your Representative.

Leeza K. wrote:”No 2 – maybe there should be an organization who can gather the info, put it together the way it should be and personally deliver it, and figure out a way so that these petitions in the correct form, have to be at least presented and accounted for at their meetings.” This would fall under the description of a lobbiest. They get paid well for their ability to get information to the eyes and ears of politicians.

Comment on Delivering the H.R. 45 &amp;amp;quot;Group Letter&amp;amp;quot; by Bill Stafford

Bill Stafford — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 05:18:37 +0000

Whether one sends a U.S.P.S. letter, an email, FAX, or signs a petition, it is a waste of time if it does not contain the name (as it appears on voter registration), address of record including zip code, and of course, city and state. If they cannot verify the communication comes from a constituent, it will not even be glanced at. Don’t be afraid to use your real name. Patrick Henry, Paul Revere, John Hancock, et al
did not use screen names.

I regularly email my senators & congressman. Sometimes just to say “You are doing a good job.” or “Thanks for your vote on that issue.” Then hopefully, when I express my concern about something like H.R. 45, maybe, just maybe, my comments will draw a bit more attention.

Comment on What are the different types of bills? by John

John — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:40:45 +0000

Hey, thanks for the clarification, Guy!