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iPads used by House of Representatives officially
Hot on the heels iPad's recent appearance in the U.S. House of Representatives, thanks to congressman Henry Cuellar, Politico reports that the iPad may soon gain formal access to Congress. As it stands, no electronic devices are allowed on the House floor. A tech-savvy group of incoming group of lawmakers are keen to see the formal rules changed, allowing them to use electronic devices on the House floor, though, according to a House leadership aide, no official decision has been made on the iPad. House Parliamentarian John Sullivan said, "I would advise the speaker that if an iPad is not being used to play sound or...as a transmitting device, it is allowed." If the rules are formally changed, the new Congress could see a far-reaching effect in the way members debate, according to U.S. Naval Academy professor Steve Frantzich, a renowned technology and politics expert. "There will be the ability to have real-time information brought to the floor in a readable, usable format. A member could make a factual statement, and someone with an iPad could say, 'No, your data is two years old.' All of a sudden, you have a member being able to one-up someone speaking on the floor," said Frantzich. There is also a proposal for legislation to be transmitted electronically to members, instead of printing copies every time. The House currently has a multimillion-dollar printing budget.
iPad appears in US House of Representatives
Politico picked up the story of a Democratic congressman rocking out an iPad while at the podium in the U.S. House of Representatives. The stylish iPad wielder was Henry Cuellar of the Texas 28th, who's described himself as a "techie." According to Politico's interview with Cuellar, the congressman uses his iPad first thing in the morning to check the papers while enjoying his cup of coffee. He uses his tablet again in the evening to check his email and see if there are any important news stories. In terms of professional apps, Cuellar uses Congress in Your Pocket to keep tabs on his fellow politicians. He has another app that works like a teleprompter (unspecified, but likely to be ProPrompter) allowing his aides to send him important talking points. The app he doesn't have? Angry Birds. Apparently, Cuellar likes to keep his iPad productive and distraction-free. That's not all. Cuellar confirmed that he's "seen a couple of other members that have their iPads." Maybe he's starting a Beltway trend.
