Can’t Get Sunlight API Key

We were made aware of this issue earlier today. The problem is out of our control as it is caused by changed Sunlight Labs has done on their website. I am working to have them resolve this issue.

Thank you so much for your help here, please keep me posted as soon as this is resolved.

Much appreciated!

UPDATE

The problem is indeed with Sunlight Labs. Sunlight Foundation has closed The Lab down and the Congress API that we use for our plugin is now being managed by ProReplublica.org This is why our plugin still works for anyone who has a working API Key because the connection is still there. I am still looking into how we get new API keys.

Eventually they will deprecate the Sunlight Congress API in favor of their own Congress API. Our goal is to transition to them before that happens.

As soon as I know more I will report back.

For more information about the closing of Sunlight Labs and ProRepublica’s taking it over please see:

https://sunlightfoundation.com/2016/11/01/sunlight-labs-update-nonprofits-step-up-to-preserve-tools-for-transparency/

https://www.propublica.org/article/taking-cues-and-some-projects-from-sunlight-labs

Thank you for bearing with us as we worked through finding the problem behind the recent errors with installing and using the CongressLookup plugin.

WHAT TO DO
Currently no API key is needed. However, our plugin still looks for one to be entered. So all you have to do is put anything you want in the API key field to make it work.

NOTE
There is still an error in the WP Admin from the plugin. This only effects the ability to download new images of the Congress people. I will put out an update as soon as I get the correct url.

Please let me know if you continue to have any issues with CongressLookup.

• This reply was modified 8 years ago by ConstructiveGrowth.

I cannot get this to work with arbitrary text in the api input box in the backend. The front end, basically it shows up on the website with an address input and a map error message and when I enter a zip code or address the wheel spins forever without performing any action. Can you please provide an update as to if this will be supported moving further or I may have to find an alternative method. thanks

I think I may have to hardcode the google maps api into this to get it to work, please let me know if that may be the case.

We are currently working on an update to fix this but I have no ETA on it. Until then, if you are able to enter your own Google Maps API key then that would fix your issue. I’ll update you when we have the plugin fixed.

Where do you enter your api key? Please provide instructions.

Thanks

Currently the programmer is MIA. I will get you that information as soon as I am able. I apologize for the delay.

So I got the update today and the api with map works but now when I try to load the address or zip, the page reloads after I click find and no information appears that shows the senators, house, etc. I am using on two different websites with two different themes and neither show results. Can you tell me what might be the issue now. Thanks for the update.

To be more precise, when you enter the zip or address on the front end address search box, the map will change to the desired location but the search wheel below the map just spins (hangs) forever and never returns any of the desired results.

Also, when you try to use the shortcode in a widget on any page, the same things happens but the page wants to reload with no results. So the regular page just spins but if you use it as a widget, the page reloads. So maybe if you can find a way to allow it to be a widget or add a widget for this, it would be great too.

Hello seanst. I’m sorry you are still experiencing problems. As you can see on our main site, https://congresslookup.com/, the updated plugin is working with WP 4.7. Therefore, I suspect the problems you are having has something to do with the configuration of your website(s). Please work through our troubleshooting guide and report back the results: https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/congresslookup/other_notes/

And your idea of making it work for the sidebar is a good one. I will work on adding that to a future update.

Okay reinstalled all of it and created new apis and now I am getting the following results:
Entering any address and zip, zip by itself or using the default for the white house address of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500 all produce the same results now:

Address or zip code not found. Please try again.

Any ideas what is causing no results.

Thanks for all of your help too.