Urging Colleagues to Follow Their Lead, Kelly and Tester Re-introduce Legislation to Require Members of Congress to Post Public Schedules Online
Senators’ legislation aims to improve transparency by requiring Members of Congress to post their daily public schedule, including events and meetings online
As part of their continued efforts to increase transparency and accountability in Congress, U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Jon Tester (D-MT) will reintroduce legislation to require Members of Congress to post their daily schedules online, including all events and meetings attended in their official capacity. Kelly and Tester are currently two of the only Members of Congress to publicly post their schedules on their official websites.
“When I ran for Senate, I made a commitment to accountability. For me, that starts with being transparent and publicly sharing what I do as a Senator both in Arizona and in the halls of Congress,” said Kelly. “Arizonans can see what I’m up to by checking my official schedule on my website. Now, Senator Tester and I are working to make this the standard for all Members of Congress, and to bring more accountability and transparency to D.C.”
“Montanans elected me to represent their interests, and that means keeping them informed about who I’m meeting with, what I’m working on, and where I’m spending my time as Montana’s senior Senator,” said Tester. “That’s why I started posting my public schedule back in 2007, and it’s why I’ve kept it updated to this day — and I hope my colleagues will follow suit. If we want to inject some real transparency into our government, we’ve got to start holding members of Congress accountable and this bill is a step in the right direction.”
There are currently no requirements for Members of Congress to disclose when they meet with constituents, lobbyists, or other groups in their official, taxpayer-funded positions.
Kelly and Tester’s Transparency in Congress Resolution would require Members of Congress to publish their daily public schedules. The schedule must be posted online by the last day of each month and include:
- Each hearing, meeting, or event the Member attended in their official capacity, either in person or by teleconference or other electronic means;
- The Member’s floor activity; and
- A general description of the individuals, entities, or organization participating in the meeting or event, or a general description of the meeting or event.
The Transparency in Congress Resolution is supported by Common Cause, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Public Citizen, and End Citizens United.
You can read the text of the Senators’ Transparency in Congress Resolution HERE.
