Inspiration
The genesis of "Your Congress" was fueled by our passion for democratizing political engagement and empowering citizens. We envisioned a tool that would not only demystify the complex world of policy and legislation but also actively engage users in the legislative process. This application is our answer to bridging the gap between the public and their representatives, ensuring that every voice can be a part of shaping the future.
What it does
"Your Congress" is a revolutionary React application that harnesses the power of APIs, machine learning, semantic analysis, and PyTorch. It's designed to be the ultimate tool for users looking to enact reform in their congress. Users can effortlessly search for policies, discover related politicians and legislation, draft bills, and contact Congress members to express their views. The application's pièce de résistance is its stunning visualization capabilities, powered by Obsidian, enhancing user experience and understanding.
How we built it
The construction of "Your Congress" was a journey of innovation and collaboration. Our team leveraged the robustness of React for the front end, ensuring a seamless user interface. We integrated a variety of APIs for data retrieval, utilized machine learning algorithms for semantic analysis, and employed PyTorch for advanced computational tasks. The fusion of these technologies resulted in a dynamic and responsive application.
Challenges we ran into
Our expedition was not without its challenges. We grappled with selecting the most suitable APIs, faced hurdles with CORS policy, and encountered limitations in our technical expertise. These challenges tested our problem-solving skills and pushed us to expand our technical horizons.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We're immensely proud of the learning curve we've navigated and the experiences gained by both the back and front-end teams, especially in areas they were previously unfamiliar with. The ability to transform our vision into a functional application, despite the obstacles, is a testament to our team's resilience and dedication.
What we learned
This project was a profound learning experience. We delved deeper into the intricacies of React, gained practical insights into utilizing APIs, machine learning, and PyTorch, and enhanced our understanding of semantic analysis. We also learned the importance of teamwork and perseverance in the face of technical challenges.
What's next for Your Congress
The future of "Your Congress" is bright and bustling with potential. We're gearing up to expand the website's capabilities to include direct contact with representatives, the introduction of more intelligent labels and features on bills, and the integration of voting practices. This will empower users to not only be informed but also take action with their vote, making a tangible impact on the political landscape.
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