2
🔑 Get Your Congress.gov API Key (Free)
Sign up for a free API key that provides 5,000 requests per hour
Get Free API Key📧 Note:
Fill out the form and check your email - the key arrives instantly
3
📦 Install Dependencies
Install required Node.js dependencies
cd billy-mcp
npm install
4
⚙️ Configure Claude Desktop
Add Billy MCP to your Claude Desktop configuration
Configuration File Locations:
🍎 macOS
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
🪟 Windows
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
🐧 Linux
~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Add this configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"billy": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/full/path/to/billy-mcp/mcp-client.js"],
"env": {
"MCP_SERVER_URL": "https://mcp.billy.wiki",
"CONGRESS_API_KEY": "your_congress_api_key_here"
}
}
}
}
⚠️ Important Notes:
- Replace '/full/path/to/billy-mcp/mcp-client.js' with the actual absolute path
- Replace 'your_congress_api_key_here' with your actual Congress.gov API key
- Make sure to use forward slashes (/) in paths, even on Windows
5
🔄 Restart Claude Desktop
Close and reopen Claude Desktop to load the new configuration
6
🎉 Test Your Setup
Try asking Claude these example questions:
What bills were introduced this week?
Search for amendments about climate change
Who are the senators from California?
Show me recent House votes on energy policy