Getting Congress to Punch the Clock - September 12, 2006 Vol. 7, No. 18

September 12, 2006 Vol. 7, No. 18:

Published: 09/12/2006

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Getting Congress to Punch the Clock

Following Congress's failure to pass meaningful lobby reform, the Sunlight Network has launched a two-month grassroots campaign to increase transparency about the actions and activities of our elected representatives. The Punch Clock Campaign offers rewards to the public for persuading lawmakers to post their daily schedules on the internet.

Under the campaign, Sunlight is offering over $680,000 in "good-will bounties" to encourage citizens to ask for lawmakers' commitment to this transparency effort. Groups and individuals can receive $1,000 for each member of Congress, and $250 for each candidate, that they convince to sign the "Punch Clock Agreement."

The agreement simply states:

I believe citizens have a right to know what their Member of Congress does every day.

Starting with the next Congress, I promise to publish my daily official work schedule on the Internet within 24 hours of the end of every work day. I will include all matters relating to my role as a Member of Congress. I will include all meetings with constituents, other Members, and lobbyists, listed by name. (In rare cases I will withhold the names of constituents whose privacy must be protected.) I will also include all fundraising events. Events will be listed whether Congress is in session or not, and whether I am in Washington, traveling, or in my district.

The Sunlight website provides downloadable agreement/pledge sheets, a database and map tool to find lawmakers and candidates, their responses to requests, and related materials.