Developer Resources

This section is for website developers or other researchers with programming background.

Source Data and APIs

• All of the source data that powers the site is made available in static XML files which you can download in bulk and reuse for other purposes. They are made available under open terms. Sunlight Foundation has provided the Drumbone API around this data if you are looking for an app-friendly way to access it.
• We also provide several additional APIs which provide another window into some aspects of the data.
• If you are a regular user of the source data or APIs, it is important that you join our mail list for notices about any data format changes. If you have any ideas, please post a message to let others know.
• I also keep a list of projects using data from GovTrack.
• License Terms

Other items of interest:

• On an experimental basis, we also provide a RDF dump and SPARQL endpoint for the data that powers the site.
• You might also be interested in: Open Government Data and .NET.

Help Develop GovTrack

We would love to have you involved in the development of GovTrack. Some funding may be available.

• Take a look at the project ideas for improving this site.
• Check out the source data, data gathering code, and website source code.
• Email me, Josh, using the address at the bottom of the page, if you want to talk more about getting involved. I'm happy to give you pointers.
• You may also want to create a GovTrack-type site for the politics in your own state. I wrote up some notes on that here, but these days Sunlight Foundation is heading up the effort of recruiting coders from each state to take this on. See their Fifty States Project.