“We pledge to make this the most honest, ethical, and open Congress in history.” Nancy Pelosi, November 14, 2006

The last time the House rules were seriously reconsidered was 1995, when the Republicans took over Congress. Since then, the internet has changed the way that Americans communicate with each other. With a new Congressional mandate to open Congress, it’s time for citizens to help open up the process. One of the problems is that, well, no one person really knows how to make it happen. It’s a big job. The Open House Project is a temporary working group designed to make recommendations to Congress on easy ways to begin the process.

The goal is not to radically rework every Congressional procedure. The operating principle of the Open House Project is known as Paving the Cowpaths. We’re trying to find the least intrusive ways to open up the House, the low-hanging fruit where the internet and Congressional procedures come together. The potential of this project lies in the possibility of experts and citizens from all fields to come together and identify areas where Congress can open up and allows all of us to have more information and access.

Here’s what we want to get done in the next few months:

• Produce a report with a series of recommendations in late March on how Congress can open its business to the public
• Foster a discussion with Members, staffers, and institutional stakeholders on a more open Congress
• Foster a discussion with the public on a more open Congress

Speaker Pelosi is serious about using the internet to open up Congress. Here’s what she had to say about this project.

The Internet is an incredible vehicle for transparency, honest leadership and open government. I am encouraged by this working group and look forward to recommendations on how the House can be as open and accessible to citizens as possible.