Just now I sat down in a plush leather chair in room 1131 of the Longworth House Office Building -  to put your questions about the economy to Rep. Steve King, Republican of Iowa and well-known opponent of immigration, government regulation and just about everything folks in the Democratic Party hold dear. The irony was not lost on either of us that Al Gore once occupied the same office now held by a man who thinks global warming is bogus.
 
The interview is the first in a new series of interactive podcasts that let you be the interviewer. Listen here. I asked six of your excellent questions of the congressman: What would he do to create jobs? How would he bring health care costs down? If he supports Medicare why not a single payer system? Why not take action to spur new 'green industries' to create new jobs.
 
Every week we're going to pose your questions in a live 'sit down' format to different lawmakers. We select the best - and the ones with the most votes - and then we tape you asking them - or you can ask them live so you can ask the follow ups.
 
Tell us what you think of the podcast - and what you think of Congressman King's answers. Any follow up questions you want us to ask? Any evidence you have to rebut or support his answers?
 
The new podcast format is part of a new website we are launching within days - combining this Ask Your Lawmaker' site with the hyper-localized and original multimedia news coverage from Congress of Capitol News Connection. There will be video, photo galleries, interactive features and a full 'web 2.0' community experience.
 
We'll want you to do more than ask the questions: you'll be able to 'truth squad' lawmaker responses, add evidence or supporting documents to support your case - and in time help us with some crowd-sourced assignments.
 
The first one of these will be to tell us what you think of the new site - and teh new interactive podcast. If you want to volunteer, let us know by email feedback [at] cncnews [dot] org.