Votes, committee hearings, floor debates: There’s a lot to keep track of in Congress.
Even members of Congress and their staffers can get confused sometimes, which is why a growing number of them have turned to a smartphone app to stay organized.
lets its users monitor floor proceedings in real time and receive push alerts notifying them of live votes. When votes are happening, it features a countdown voting clock and lets users “vote” alongside Congress.
The free app is named after the bell members hear in their offices when a vote is coming up — although it’s really more like a buzzing sound.
Designed by a former House aide, the appto engage the public in Capitol Hill proceedings.But dozens of members of Congress and thousands of staffers have downloaded the app as well,
“My staff and I use Capitol Bells to make sure that I don’t miss important votes,” Rep. Jared Polis, a Democrat from Colorado, is quoted saying.
Capitol Bells has only been available for House votes, but this week its creators launched the Senate version.
It is one of two Congress-related apps getting attention this week: A select few attended a launch party Tuesday forthat lets constituents rate their elected officials on a scale of 1 to 5, much like a Yelp review for businesses.
