This site/searchable database is a fine example of how investing in some basic data preparation can create the potential for a ton of stories. Why, for example, do Democrats have such a preponderance (18 out of 20) of Representatives on the "missed votes" list, but only 9 out of 20 on the similar list for the Senate?
This is also a fine example of how a newspaper can do good things for itself while doing good things for the community and readers. This database gives the WP reporters and editors a quick look-up of Congressional activity, the kind of fact and detail that can enrich a story. At the same time, citizens can turn to this value-added form of the public record to answer their own questions.
Derek Willis wrote to the news librarians listserv:
"Folks,
It's not part of a story or series, but the Post today launched a site
that may prove useful to your newsrooms or even as an inspiration to
learn Python: a congressional votes database that covers the
102nd-109th congresses (1991-present). Currently browsable, we're
working on adding a search engine and other features to it. Adrian
Holovaty, who works for washingtonpost.com, and I assembled the data
and he built the web framework to display it. All of the data is
gathered using Python, the database backend is PostgreSQL and the web
framework is Django."
