A: On Jan. 24, 2000, Roll Call published a special section titled “Congress Next.” The 38-page section welcomed members and staff back to the Hill and focused on changes to come.  

“Changes are Virtually Certain in Congress’ Future” we wrote in a story about the possibility of a virtual Congress. “At some point in the next century it’s conceivable that with super-encrypted computer connections and interactive TV, senators and members will debate with colleagues, attend hearings and pass bills without leaving their districts.” One senator is quoted saying a virtual Congress is “the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

The edition also examined the nascent effect the Internet had on Congress at the time. Now an ingrained part of Hill life, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., was the first with a “Senate home page” in 1995. In 2000, there were still members who did not have their own websites.  

Roll Call also decided to have a little fun, drawing up a mock front page from the year 2050. The highlight is the tragic news story about a senator’s death-by-telepod, predicted to occur after the Virtual Congress Act of 2033.  

The mock front page also predicts Johnathan Firehat’s selection as House Druid, Jack McCain’s push to ban alien money and Bob Shuster’s memoir on 80 years of Shusters guiding transportation policy.  

Roll Call is celebrating our 60th birthday all year long by posting #ThrowbackThursday trivia via the @rollcall Twitter feed. Each week we explore Roll Call’s history on the Hill with a peek at our archives.  

Last week’s #tbt can be found here . Want more? Follow along !  

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