Washington, D.C.– Nearly 200 House Republican staffers attended a “Social Media for Congress” event today organized by the House Republican Conference Vice Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) and the party’s New Media Caucus.

Representatives from Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube presented the audience with a number of strategies and tactics that Republican Members can use to leverage each of their networks. A robust question and answer period followed, with the event spanning over an hour and a half.

“I’ve been buttonholing both freshmen and senior Members, from the first day of session to the Member’s retreat, asking one simple question: ‘Have you set up your social media accounts yet?’ Republicans made great progress in the 111^th Congress, after overcoming the naysayers who said we’d never catch up technologically—let alone take the lead,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said.

The Conference Vice Chair continued, “Now our challenge is to keep the pedal to the floor, and continue to keep our edge in this important medium. It doesn’t take much convincing for Members to see the benefit of engaging constituents online. They have a strong network in the District; this connects them back to constituents whether they’re here in D.C. or around the District. At the end of the day, it’s about being responsive, communicating our positive vision, and bringing people into the day-to-day work of the People’s House.”

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