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For more than a century, bells have been used in the Capitol to alert lawmakers when it’s time to vote. It’s a system that still operates in present day with loud buzzing sounds indicating not only the time, but the type of activity in the House chamber. And these days, there’s also an app for that. It’s yet another sign of the changing times, a juxtaposition of old vs. new. Standing amid statues and portraits that adorn the storied hallways of Congress, lawmakers are looking down at their phones, relying on the latest technology to make their day more efficient. The office of House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer runs an app, Dome Watch, that’s become a favorite among Democratic members and aides — not to mention some Republicans and reporters — for tracking floor activity, vote breakdowns, and timing, among other things. Rep. Jimmy Gomez said the app gives people a front row seat to history in the palm of their hand. “Congress is no longer something that happens 3,000 miles away from my district,” said the California Democrat. “It’s something that can happen right on your phone.” Gomez, while standing outside the chamber during a vote, opened his phone to show he could keep track in real time of yays and nays, including the party breakdown. “You have 14 Republicans voting with Democrats on this,” he told CNN, watching the numbers come in for the vote to override the President’s first veto (The override failed). Practically speaking, though, it simply helps him plan better. Gomez had just arrived from a hearing, where he said he was keeping an eye on the app to see how much time he had left before the clock ran out in the chamber — so he wouldn’t miss the vote.

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