Former Majority Leaders in the Senate

Overnight I listened to an interesting programme on C-SPAN Radio which involved an event at the Bipartisan Policy Center, honouring former Senators Howard Baker and Bob Dole. It gives some useful insights into the working of the US Senate. As I spent a considerable time yesterday writing about the recent history of the Senate and it's leadership - this was a particularly well timed broadcast. A number of key leaders attended and spoke. Although I am in Washington at the moment, I was able to listen to it in exactly the same way as I do when I am at home -3500 miles away - on my iPhone through using the C-SPAN App. The video can be viewed at http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/Bakera

Better than a Pub Quiz!

This morning I downloaded and installed on my iPhone, an "app" prepared by the Parliament's Education Service - called Parliquiz.It is available here.

I enjoyed the series of quizzes on the app - and the detailed information which is available on the "correct answers" which you receive after getting details of your score and time taken to complete. I'd strongly recommend this enjoyable app. It is free!

I am now into the final few days of my visit to Washington DC. I shall have to get an iphone for my return to the UK! There are a number of "apps" which are available -

The Sunlight Foundation has just launched an application which gives

Live Floor Updates - Updates from the House and Senate floor as they happen.
Key Documents - Critical reports and memos as they are published online by the Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service, Office of Management and Budget, party policy committees and more!
Whip Notices - Daily and weekly notices from the House Majority and Minority Whips.
Hearing Schedules - Schedule of upcoming committee hearings from House and Senate.

C-Span has apps which allow you to listen to proceedings

and there is a Congressional Directory available called "Congress in Your Pocket"