DISQUS

There are no rules which restrict Congress's use of social media websites. Three important facts in this discussion:

1. The current CHA rules only limit content which is included on, or linked to from, a member's official House.gov website.

2. House members have (reasonably) complained that they are unable to post video to their House.gov website under these restrictions.

3. Rep. Capuano proposed designating official channels in which videos could be posted, then embedded and/or linked to from House.gov sites.

The only prohibition is regarding linking content from those sites into a members' official House.gov sites in order to prevent members from using the public resources and monies given to them for private purposes (e.g. campaigning), as well as to prevent them from appearing to officially endorse a particular product or service on behalf of Congress.

These are, imho, worthy aims.

For more information, you should read:

House CHA rules online:
http://gop.cha.house.gov/services/membershandbo...

My two posts on this topic, which provide much greater detail and further reference:
http://blog.geekdaily.org/2008/07/let-our-congr...
http://blog.geekdaily.org/2008/07/let-our-congr...

Extraordinarily well put. And the best use of a Zoidberg I've seen in some time. =]

Huge thanks for the screencast and configs!