Republican leaders this week unveiled a new mobile app that helps Americans follow the action of the House of Representatives from the palm of their hand. The app is available on the iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, and Android phone and tablet.
The app, called WhipCast, is the first government app to be simultaneously released on all three major mobile platforms. The project was spearheaded by House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who stars in the promotional video.
“Prior Congresses wrote and passed legislation in the dark of the night,” wrote Brian Donahue of CRAFT, which designed and developed the app. “WhipCast users receive first access to the full text of legislation before it is considered on the House floor, the floor schedule, House Republican press releases, alerts on key votes and more — right in their pocket and at their fingertips.”
Republicans said WhipCast served as the latest example of their commitment to transparency and accessibility. Under the leadership of Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), the House has taken unprecedented steps to make information more accessible to the public.
