Connect GovInfo to ChatGPT
Query GovInfo directly from ChatGPT. Arlet links the two through one MCP connection and takes care of API keys.
This server connects your AI client to the GovInfo API, operated by the US Government Publishing Office. GovInfo is the authenticated repository for official federal publications - if a document was formally published by the US government, it is likely here, in full text.
Key features:
- search_documents: keyword search across the whole repository or one collection. The query supports Lucene-style field syntax (collection:BILLS, title:appropriations), so precise legislative research queries are possible.
- get_package_summary: full metadata for one document package, including congressional metadata (congress, bill number, version, chamber) where applicable, and direct download links for the text, XML and PDF renditions.
- list_collections: the full list of collections with document counts - Congressional Bills (BILLS), Public Laws (PLAW), US Code (USCODE), Federal Register (FR), CFR, Congressional Record (CREC), reports (CRPT), hearings (CHRG), GAO reports, court opinions (USCOURTS) and more.
Compared with the Congress.gov server (bill status and legislative actions), GovInfo is the place to read the published document text itself, and it also covers non-legislative material such as budgets, court opinions and GAO reports.
Using the API requires a free key issued at govinfo.gov/api-signup. Set it as GOVINFO_API_KEY in your Arlet environment variables.
How to connect GovInfo to ChatGPT
- 1
In the Arlet dashboard, open Data tools, find GovInfo, set the API key issued by GovInfo and switch it on.
- 2
In ChatGPT, open Settings β Plugins β Browse plugins and click + at the top right.
- 3
In the New Plugin form, enter "Arlet" as the Name, choose Server URL for Connection and enter https://mcp.arlet.dev/mcp/, pick OAuth for Authentication, check the risk acknowledgement and click Create.
- 4
Open the Arlet plugin you created, click Sign in with Arlet, sign in with Google and click Allow. The connection is complete.
If the Plugins screen is not shown, turn on Developer mode under Settings β Security and login.
