The United States Congress is In Session on YouTube

WASHINGTON, D.C. and SAN BRUNO, CA – (January 12, 2009) – The 111th United States Congress and YouTube today announced the launch of official Congressional YouTube channels. Each Member of the House and Senate will have the opportunity to create and control their own YouTube channel that citizens can locate on a Google Map interface on two new platforms - The House Hub (http://youtube.com/househub) and The Senate Hub (http://youtube.com/senatehub) - making it easy for people to interact with videos that offer an inside look at their elected officials in action on Capitol Hill.



“These channels will allow people to get an inside look at the work that their elected representatives are doing in Washington,” said Steve Grove, YouTube’s head of news and politics. “They also enable citizens and their leaders to have a direct dialogue about the issues facing the country.”



Recently, both houses of Congress adjusted rules regarding posting content to third party websites, permitting the same access pioneered during the election season to carry over to government. As a result all members of Congress can create, manage and control their own individual YouTube channels. Several Representatives and Senators, who can be found at the House and Senate Hub on YouTube, have already created YouTube channels where they post videos of floor speeches, committee hearings, behind-the-scenes footage and more to YouTube.



The Democratic and Republican leadership of both the House and Senate announced the initiative today in a YouTube video featured on YouTube’s homepage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avch-fRFmbw.



“Americans, now more than ever, turn to the web to get their news – our YouTube channels serve as a direct line to what's happening in Congress,” said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) added, “Through my YouTube channel I can address the most important issues our country and my state faces, and hear suggestions from people about how to solve our most pressing problems.”



“The Internet presents the biggest communications opportunity on Capitol Hill since television and the rise of political cable channels,” said Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell, (R-KY). House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) added, “YouTube and other popular new media tools help to provide a level of access and transparency that has never been seen before in government, while helping us to solicit feedback directly from the American people.”




About YouTube


YouTube is the world's most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.





Contact:



YouTube Communications

Aaron Ferstman

press@youtube.com



Office of the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

Drew Hammill

202-226-7616



Office of the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

Rodell Mollineau

Rodell_Mollineau@reid.senate.gov



Office of John Boehner

Nick Schaper

Nick.Schaper@mail.house.gov



Office of Mitch McConnell

Moon Sulfab

Moon_Sulfab@mcconnell.senate.gov