Hoyer Remarks at Second Congressional Hackathon

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for the second Congressional Hackathon. The event brought together a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, Congressional staff, Legislative Branch agency staff, open government and transparency advocates, civic hackers, and developers from digital companies to explore the role of digital platforms in the legislative process. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

“I’d like to welcome everyone to the United States Capitol.

“I am pleased that today we have Members, staff, advocates, and technologists from both sides of the aisle coming together for a very positive, bipartisan, and constructive event.

“In 2011, I had the pleasure of co-hosting the first-ever official Congressional Hackathon with then-Majority Leader Eric Cantor. A lot has changed since then in the fast-moving world of digital technology.

“Back then, the loudest applause was when we talked about the need to update the outdated “Thomas.gov” website. Today, we have a beautiful and highly functional new “Congress.gov,” thanks to the hard-working digital team at the Library of Congress.

“We compiled a report from the first Hackathon, detailing the best ideas that emerged, including three top recommendations for Congress.

“The first was releasing all legislative data in machine-readable formats, so third-party websites could use legislative data in innovative ways.

“The second was improving online video from Congressional Committees and other sources.

“Soon after the first Hackathon, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 2013 created the Bipartisan Bulk Data Taskforce, led by Deputy Clerk of the House Bob Reeves, which has worked to address both of those issues.

“Bob has done a tremendous job leading these efforts to support legislative branch agencies.

“The task force has created a sense of urgency and momentum in modernizing and opening our legislative branch data and systems. It has revamped websites, opened and improved data sets, and expanded Congressional online video.

“I understand Bob will be giving a more detailed progress report later this morning, but, with his leadership, Congress has largely accomplished those first two recommendations from the original Hackathon.

“Innovation has followed, with new websites and apps that use legislative data in exciting and inclusive new ways.  one of those exciting new apps is ‘Whip Watch’ – an app my office developed for apple’s mobile operating system that anyone can download for free and use to access House Floor updates, legislative information, a vote calendar updated in real time, and video.

“With ‘Whip Watch,’ for the first time ever the public can access live House Floor updates, daily and weekly vote schedules, and even House Democratic staff job announcements.

“The third major recommendation from the first Hackathon was to strengthen dialogue with the developer community, many Members of which are represented here today. Once again, we have made significant progress in that effort.

“The Bulk Data Task Force has held numerous public hearings. The House Administration Committee has held numerous conferences on legislative data and transparency. Outside groups like the ‘Open Gov’ Foundation have held Congressional Hackathons that were well attended by Members of Congress and staff. And all of us are back here in the Capitol for another official Hackathon that is open to the public.

“I also want to acknowledge the significant progress that the Obama Administration has made in modernizing government technology. The White House Innovation Fellows Program has been very successful, leading to the creation of the U.S. Digital Service and the 18-f group at the General Services Administration. Those groups have been tapping into the talent and business practices of Silicon Valley to improve the way the federal workforce serves the American people.

“But there is so much more that needs to be done, both in the executive branch and here in the legislative branch.

“Modernizing government technology is an ongoing project, and it is one that we must pursue with greater urgency. Making government more efficient, effective, transparent, and responsive starts with making sure those who serve in government are better connected – digitally – to those we serve. And doing so promises significant long term savings to the taxpayers as well, as technologies bring costs down and the government saves on the expenses of traditional printing in favor of using digital media. Most important, greater efficiency through technology has the potential to help rebuild American’s trust in government, something that is at a historic low.

“I want to thank all of you here today for being optimists, for being part of the solution, for being willing to take a day out of your busy lives to work to improve the great institution that is the United States Congress.

“I want to thank Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for co-hosting with me today. And I look forward to hearing about all the great ideas and solutions that emerge from today’s Hackathon.”