ROWLAND: Legislators tap the Web to connect with voters

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By Kara Rowland

COLUMN:

In a move that could amplify lawmakers' use of YouTube, Twitter and other new media sites to communicate with constituents, the House Administration Committee last week adopted new rules allowing members to use third-party Web sites to post official content.

In approving the measure, the committee panned a proposal made this summer by Rep. Michael Capuano, Massachusetts Democrat and chairman of the Franking Commission, that would have required the House Office of Web Assistance to sign off on any external sites.

The plan would also have banned official content from appearing on any Web site that also runs commercial or political advertisements to "the maximum extent possible," according to a June letter in which Mr. Capuano outlined his proposal.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, Ohio Republican, this summer equated that idea to "new government censorship of the Internet."

Under the new rules, any official content posted elsewhere than their official House Web sites must be "germane to the conduct of the member's official and representational duties." Offices are also required to include exit notices when embedding an outside link on their Web sites to alert visitors they are leaving the House site.

Both Mr. Boehner and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California praised the new Web rules.

"These new guidelines are a step in the right direction for a Congress that has been behind the technological curve for too long," Mr. Boehner said. "By encouraging the use of emerging and established new media tools, Congress is sending the message that we want to speak to citizens, and receive feedback, in the most open and accessible manner possible."

Mrs. Pelosi said: "In the 110th Congress, the House has made significant progress to increase transparency through technology - from Webcasting more committee hearings to posting lobbying disclosure forms online."

Tech sector pleased

Many technology companies and trade groups are apparently happy that Congress passed the bailout package:

• "This bill also contains a crucial extension of the [research and development] tax credit," said Christopher W. Hansen, president and chief executive officer of AeA, the country's largest technology association. "Although the high-tech industry is healthy and continues to add jobs, we are concerned that our country's future growth is being jeopardized by not making the crucial investments necessary to operate in this competitive global marketplace. As other countries are actively courting R&D activities, the United States is actuallydiscouraging companies from investing in future innovation right here at home. This extension will encourage future U.S. investments."

• "Congressional passage of the financial recovery package is a critically important step to bringing back economic stability in the U.S. and around the globe," said Brad Smith, senior vice president and general counsel of Microsoft Corp.

• E-mail krowland@washingtontimes.com or call 202-636-3139.