Interactive: Word Count from House Transcripts

Curious what legislators are saying on the House and Senate floor? Since the start of the 82nd legislative session, The Texas Tribune has posted day-after transcripts. Now we’re brainstorming ways to make them more searchable and interactive.


Here’s a preview of the ideas the Tribune has in store. This interactive chart compares the frequency of certain words said in the House — “tax,” “God,” “Texas,” and a few others. Peaks indicate when a certain topic became hot on the floor, like on January 24, when “budget” was said 36 times as Representatives discussed the budget shortfall and process of filing a balanced budget.



We’re open to your suggestions. Let us know topics to follow, words to compare or other ideas of how we could make the legislative transcripts more accessible and interactive for readers.