Let the sun shine in. The U.S. Senate has joined the U.S. House in allowing XML or raw data feeds of members’ votes.

Who cares? If you are an online journalist (aren’t we all?) then this is a way for you to efficiently track how your state’s representatives in Washington vote.

You can do more than just track votes. With an XML feed you can create a database, track votes by issue and keep an eye on voting trends.

What is an XML feed? Here is what it looks like:

Without going into too much geek-speak, XML or eXtensible Markup Language is a computer language that allows information to be shared and broadcast.

XML data is a powerful tool.

You don’t have to be able to create a database from an XML feed or even understand the code. You just need to know what information is available and have an idea how it might be used.

e-PaperTrail.com is a data-rich site that allows you to learn about Congress and compare votes.

Another data-rich site, Know Thy Congressman or http://know-thy-congressman.com/, allows you to type in the name of any representative and dig deep into his or her votes, most used words, earmarks requested and received, and much more.

You can find the U.S. House XML feed at http://xml.house.gov/ .
The U.S. Senate feed for the 111th Congress can be found at http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_menu_111_1.xml .

I am not suggesting that journalists go out and learn to write code or action scripting. What I am suggesting is that you embrace data.

My friend Kenny Irby, visual journalism group leader with The Poynter Institute, says that ideas in the newsroom are currency, and he is right. Just having an idea that enriches your reporting will pay off.