Now, more than ever, Americans have an opportunity — and an obligation, to arm themselves with knowledge. The internet makes it easy to learn how the U.S. Government works, provides a means of staying informed, and gives you the ability to become an active participant in your Government!
That’s right; you can be an Armchair Patriot, making yourself heard, and participating in your Government from the safety and comfort of your own home! Is this enough? Probably not — but if it’s all you do, you’ll still be doing more than a majority of Americans today.
No more excuses. Participation has to start somewhere; why not let it be here?
There are more ways to keep tabs on what our elected officials are up to today, than at any time in the past. C-SPAN in its various flavors, permits you to watch our elected representatives in action (or inaction). The Congressional Record and Thomas provide comprehensive information on every issue that comes before the House and Senate. If you’re looking to validate political advertisements or verify statements or comments made by our elected leadership, FactCheck.org is a tremendous resource.
Once you’re aware, it’s time to get involved! Congress.org provides easy to use tools to help you get in touch with your elected leadership, and make yourself heard … and all of this is free. We are fortunate as a people to have such resources literally at our fingertips, and we do ourselves a disservice if we fail to take full advantage of them.
Thomas.gov — Current Legislative Information
A service of the Library of Congress, the charter of the Thomas website is to make federal legislative information freely available to the public. Information available on the Thomas website includes Bills, Resolutions; Activity in Congress; Congressional Record; Schedules, Calendars; Committee Information; Presidential Nominations; Treaties; Government Resources; and resources for Teachers and Students.
Congress.org – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
A nonpartisan news and information website devoted to encouraging civic participation. As a registered user you can read news related to current legislation; read what other advocates are saying; find your lawmaker; contact your Member of Congress; write your own Soapbox Alerts; follow your favorite issues; create a public profile page (or not); and sign up to receive any or all of four weekly e-mail newsletters.
The Congressional Record
The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. GPO Access contains Congressional Record volumes from 140 (1994) to the present. At the back of each daily issue is the “Daily Digest,” which summarizes the day’s floor and committee activities.
FactCheck.org
A project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. They monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Their goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.
C-SPAN Live Stream (Windows Media) (Real Media)
C-SPAN offers gavel to gavel coverage of the U.S. House of Representatives. C-SPAN also offers a variety of public affairs programming including congressional hearings, press briefings from the White House, State Department and Pentagon, campaign and election coverage, and international programming.
C-SPAN2 Live Stream (Windows Media) (Real Media)
C-SPAN2 offers gavel to gavel coverage of the U.S. Senate. C-SPAN2 also offers a balanced variety of public affairs programming when the Senate is in adjournment, including congressional committee hearings, press briefings, newsmaker speeches & public policy discussions.
C-SPAN3 Live Stream (Windows Media) (Real Media)
C-SPAN3 offers history programming and Congressional committee coverage.
C-SPAN Radio Live Stream (Windows Media) (Real Media)
C-SPAN Radio offers commercial-free public affairs programming 24 hours a day. You’ll hear live coverage from Washington of important congressional hearings, key speeches from national leaders, along with archival recordings of presidential tapes, military memoirs & judicial proceedings from contemporary times and before the advent of television.
