Plain.gov
Members of Congress must really be pressed for time under this new administration as most of the Congressional frosh class of ‘08 can’t even get together a decent web site after three months on the job.
About half of the 55 house newbies use only the basic site provided to when they took office, making no changes to the design by adding photos, press releases, or embedded videos. So if freshmen like Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Il., can spend the time to get washboard abs why not on Web site design?
”Has it been that long?” asked a press representative for Schock’s office. “We wanted to do our website independently,” he explained. “We want a great site so we’re not putting it up until it’s ready.”
When a member takes office the House Information Resources (HIR) supplies all the new members with a basic site. The member can choose from five design templates, which provide basic information. Some are colorful and eye catching while others are sharp and formal.
Representatives also have the choice to contract out for their own independent Web site design, but they have to pay out of their own office budget.
So why aren’t the freshmen taking advantage of what HIR has to offer?
Many of them, like Schock, are contracting out which takes more time. For others, it’s just a matter of simplicity.
“Our Web site may not be the sharpest or the prettiest but we thought it was the best use of house resources. It has everything our constituents need,” said a flack for Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa.
