Sunlight Foundation

NEWS ROUNDUP:

• The House unanimously passed a bill that would give the GAO stronger investigative and audit authorities. The GAO Improvement Act will give the GAO broader access to sensitive agency information, allow it to copy records, and place witnesses under certain oaths. Many provisions had been part of the DATA act, which passed the House but failed in the Senate during the 112th Congress. (Government Executive)
• There are some not-so-shocking first quarter fundraising totals coming in from members of the House Financial Services Committee. Members of the committee can typically count on generous donations from banking interests. (Roll Call)
• San Francisco considers itself a leader in open data and the city is finally getting Bikeshare, a program that benefits significantly from robust open data. Companies will be able to build apps that track bikes, predict demand, and more. (GovFresh)
• One of the most important ways that government can boost communication with citizens is to present information in clear, easily understandable language. To this end, the Center for Plain Language has bestowed ClearMark awards on several federal agencies for their web and document design. (Government Executive)
• Journalists trying to gain access to legal documents and court orders in the Bradley Manning case were rebuffed by the military's highest appeals court earlier this week. The court ruled that it lacks the power to consider media challenges to other military judges' rulings on access to court materials. (POLITICO)
• The Digital Public Library of America is launching its new website and officially becoming an independent nonprofit today. Rather than hosting resources itself, the DPLA will provide open access to metadata about resources and links to holdings at libraries across the country. (Government Technology)

NEWS ROUNDUP:

• It might take a few weeks for Senate campaign fundraising reports to make it to the FEC, but that isn't stopping members with good news from shouting it from the rooftops. Specifically, several vulnerable incumbent Democrats who are expecting well financed challengers in addition to massive independent expenditures against them announced heft hauls... (Roll Call)
• ...meanwhile, a number of vulnerable members of the House, as well as a few who are hoping to make a jump to the Senate in 2014, posted less than stellar numbers...  (Roll Call)
• ...finally, President Obama may never have to run in another election again, but he hasn't yet kicked the fundraising habit. The Obama presidential campaign pulled in over $4 million in the last quarter, leaving it with around $3 million on hand and owing slightly more in debts. (Roll Call)
• Senator Ron Wyden's long-time Chief of Staff Josh Kardon, who left the hill in 2011 for the Capitol Hill Consulting Group, is going to be plying his trade for ExxonMobil. Wyden chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. (The Hill)
• Organizing For America is testing out its lobbying operation in New York State, where it is pushing for significant campaign finance reforms. They don't plan to lobby elected officials directly, but will organize their significant member base in the state to influence the issue. (POLITICO)
• Google has been careful to avoid taking a public stance on CISPA, but that hasn't stopped them from trying to influence the bill behind the scenes. Recent lobbying disclosures indicate that Google has been working on the bill and House Intelligence Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI) has been quoted calling the company "supportive" of CISPA. (The Hill)
• The House released a 244 page report outlining every committee's plans to oversee the executive branch during the 113th Congress. Hot topics include IT, taxes, and more. (Federal Computer Week)