Hearing records and written testimony. Congress invites experts and scholars to testify on the important issues of the day. Their testimony could be a great democratic resource. But few hearing records find their way onto the Internet. These hearing records are rich in detail and subtleties that the media are unwilling or unable to convey.
Lobbyist disclosure reports.
The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 requires the collection of valuable information on lobbyists' activities. This information is computerized, but it is only available on paper at the House Legislative Resource Center and the Senate Office of Public Records, where most Americans never see it. If Congress were on-line, at least 45 million people could find out with a few clicks of the mouse who is paying lobbyists, how much, and why. Financial disclosure reports. These reports disclose the financial holdings and transactions of members of Congress.