“The leaders of both parties in the House have discussed the need for greater transparency and ‘sunshine’ in Congress, particularly with respect to the process by which our institution spends taxpayers’ hard-earned money,” Boehner wrote to Beard. “By serving as a public clearinghouse for real-time information on legislative efforts to reform the earmark practice in Congress, www.earmarkreform.house.gov contributes to this goal and helps to increase accountability in the use of taxpayer funds.”

The chief administrative officer rejected the notion that politics had anything to do with the decision. Spokesman Jeff Ventura said the office was reviewing all House websites for compliance with the nearly decade-old rule passed by the House Administration Committee.

Putting aside the partisan fighting over earmark reform, the conflict also focuses attention once again on Congress’ outdated policies relating to the Internet. Last year Pelosi and Boehner both endorsed the recommendations of the Open House Project, which devoted a chapter in its report to reforming outdated rules governing congressional Web sites. Leaders of the project encouraged lawmakers to establish new standards relating to members’ use of the Internet.

John Wonderlich, who oversaw the project for the Sunlight Foundation, said the conflict over the earmark reform Web site offers the House a perfect opening to update its rules.

“The Internet creates a new opportunity for members and staff to serve their constituents creatively online,” Wonderlich said. “Congress does need to address real issues like maintaining IT security, evaluating what Web use may imply official endorsement, and enforcing the line between electoral and official business.”

 Regardless of the issue or cause -- be it earmark reform or global warming -- Congress needs to get with the times when it comes to the online activity. The Open House Project outlined logical steps to increase transparency and give citizens greater access to government. Pelosi and Boehner should dust off the suggestions so situations like this one won’t happen again.