US lawmakers would soon be flashing the modern day electronic gadgets like Ipads, Iphones and Blackberries on the floor of the House of Representatives, if the Republicans had their way.

Leaders of the Republican Party, which gained majority in the US House of Representatives in the recent mid-term polls, are planning to open the House floor to these modern-day electronic gadgets as long as it does not impair decorum, a media report said today.

But talking on phones would remain banned.

As of now, these modern day electronic gadgets ? Ipads, Iphones and Blackberries ? are banned from being used on the House floor.

"This is not free licence to Skype or pay bills online. But we recognise that people consume information electronically these days. It's just silly that the House wouldn't accommodate that," Brendan Buck, a spokesman for the Republicans, told The New York Times.

"The decision represents a vivid concession of old-fashioned tradition to new technology. But while the nation's lawmakers will be fully plugged in, they will also be in danger of tuning one another out," the daily said.

In a special report, it said mobile technology has already started to sneak onto the floors of both the House and the Senate.

While the rules of the 111th Congress officially banned iPads and other devices from the floor, there has been a "wink and a nod" approach to a lawmaker who takes furtive glances at his BlackBerry, according to a senior Republican aide.

For instance, last week, Senator John Kerry was seen, head down, tapping out messages as he sat directly behind Senator Arlen Spector, who was giving his farewell address.

Earlier this month, Congressman Henry Cuellar took his iPad to the Speaker's rostrum as he presided over the chamber.

The new rules were first reported by TechPresident.Com.

"It looks like, yep, iPads are indeed coming to the floor of the House of Representatives, at least as long as the rules changes proposed by the incoming Republican leadership are adopted as they stand," it said.