Freshmen URLs
“This Web site has been set up to provide my constituents with an immediate Internet address for my newly elected office. Stay tuned for updates for my full featured Web site …”
So reads the home page of eight freshmen members of Congress, who still have yet to complete their Web sites after six months on the job.
Most of these pages have only minimal design features and resources, such as press releases, contact information and perhaps a photo page.
Many full-fledged Web sites, on the other hand, contain audio and video clips, issue statements and voting information.
“We are in the process of updating the Web site at the moment,” said Clark Pettig from Rep. Carol Shea-Porter’s, D-N.H., office. “We’re hoping it’s going to be launched within the next month.”
The chief administrative officer’s House information resources “provides new members of Congress with a multipage Web presence on the first day of the new Congress,” CAO Communications Deputy Director Patrice O’Connor said. “It is the decision of that office whether to build out the site. … They can either use the in-house Web Solutions team at no cost, or hire an outside contractor.”
According to O’Connor, many offices choose an outside contractor because they desire “certain technologies” that the House does not offer, or they want to use a “designer located in their state or district.”
Regardless of who is chosen, the process seems slowed by personalities and particulars. A spokesman for Rep. Gabrielle Gifford, D-Ariz., said, “She wanted it to be as cool as possible. She is very tech savvy and wants the Web site to reflect her personality.” Gifford’s office chose to use an outside contractor from her state.
Dana Houle, from Rep. Paul Hodes’, D-N.H., office said, “There has been a lot of back and forth with the company. … We have a specific vision. … We know exactly what we want.”
Does the lack of information and resources bother voters?
“No constituents have really asked; they e-mail us when they need something,” Pettig said.
Gifford’s spokesman agreed, saying only that “occasionally we get calls from constituents and press who cannot find something.”
