House Oversight Committee hearings going viral

Technology

House Oversight Committee hearings going viral

Chairman Darrell Issa announced the launch of his committee\'s hearings on YouTube. Issa said the videos are a first step to a more transparent government.

Federal News Network Staff

January 5, 2011 7:12 pm

< a min read

By Meg Beasley
Reporter
Federal News Radio

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced that videos of all Oversight committee meetings will be aired on YouTube.

In the YouTube video announcement, Issa said a strong democracy relies on an informed citizenry and new technology makes sharing government information possible. Starting today, users can access every Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing since 2009 on YouTube.

Calling himself the “top watchdog”, Issa said his mission is to let citizens see — hassle-free — what Washington actually does with taxpayer money.

“Transparency through technology will be crucial in shaping a government that does more with less,” he said.

In a separate announcement, Boehner said that the easy to access videos fulfill one of the central pillars of the GOP’s “Pledge to America,” restoring public trust in the government.