Making Government Transparent and Accountable
The Sunlight Foundation uses cutting-edge technology and ideas to make government transparent and accountable. Underlying all of our efforts is a fundamental belief that increased transparency will improve the public's confidence in government
The Sunlight Foundation Blog
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Senators Signing XML Vote Letter
Earlier, I wrote about a “Dear Colleague” letter circulating in the Senate written by Sen. Jim DeMint asking for roll call votes to be put online in XML format. The signers of the letter, so far, include a bipartisan cast of senators. They include Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), and Sen. DeMint (R-SC).
If you aren’t represented by any of these senators, you might want to check with your senators and see if they’ll sign the letter to support the release of roll call votes in XML. This ought to be a no-brainer.
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Entitlement
Yesterday, the Senate opened their arms and hearts to Sen. Ted Stevens while vulnerable Republicans simultaneously emptied their campaign coffers of his contributions. In an age reversal, the 90-year old Robert Byrd took on the role of PeeWee from Eight Men Out, crying to Stevens, “Say it ain’t so.” According to Dana Milbank’s take, many other senators expressed condolences and embraced the disgraced senator.
Present at the moment of Stevens’ senatorial embrace were a few reminders of why this scene is so appalling. Sens. Larry Craig and David Vitter, both cast out, particularly Craig, for personal failings that in no way involved them using their position as senator to enrich themselves. Sen. Craig’s use of a public restroom as a “closet” led fellow Republicans to force him to retire. Sen. Vitter, who slept with prostitutes, was initially shunned and subsequently welcomed back into the Republican conference. (Continue reading…)
