Anonymous Senator Blocks FOIA Reform Bill - Pukes Hate Open Government

[UpInArms]

http://www.fas.org/sgp/congress/2007/s052407.html





Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am deeply disappointed that the Senate
may not consider the Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National
Government Act,'' the OPEN Government Act, S. 849, before it adjourns
for the Memorial Day recess. The Judiciary Committee favorably reported
this bipartisan bill. We have filed a committee report on this
important legislation. Regrettably, an anonymous Republican hold is
stalling this important Freedom of Information Act, FOIA, legislation,
needlessly delaying long-overdue reforms to strengthen FOIA and to
protect the public's right to know.

It is both unfortunate and ironic that this bipartisan bill, which
promotes sunshine and openness in our government, is being hindered by
a secret and anonymous hold. This is a good government bill that
Democrats and Republicans alike, can and should work together to enact.

I hope that the Senator placing the secret hold on this bill will come
forward, so that we can resolve any legitimate concerns, and the full
Senate can promptly act on this legislation.

The OPEN Government Act is cosponsored by 10 Senators from both sides
of the aisle. This bill is also endorsed by more than 100 business,
public interest, and news organizations from across the political and
ideological spectrum, including, the American Library Association,
Conservation Congress, the Liberty Coalition, OpenTheGovernment.org,
the Sunshine in Government Initiative, the Republican Liberty Caucus
and Public Citizen.

I thank all of the cosponsors of this bill and commend Senator Cornyn
as our lead Republican sponsor. I also thank the many open government
organizations that are working tirelessly to encourage the Congress to
enact this bill this year. This measure is cleared for passage on the
Democratic side. It should be passed without further delay.

The OPEN Government Act promotes and enhances public disclosure of
government information under FOIA, by helping Americans to obtain
timely responses to their FOIA requests and improving transparency in
the Federal Government's FOIA process. During the recent hearing that
the Judiciary Committee held on this legislation, we learned that,
although FOIA remains an indispensable tool in shedding light on bad
policies and government abuses, this open government law is being
hampered by excessive delays and lax FOIA compliance. Today, Americans
who seek information under FOIA remain less likely to obtain it than
during any other time in FOIA's 40-year history. This bill would help
to reverse this trend and to restore the public's trust in their
government.

Senator Cornyn and I both know that open government is not a
Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It is an American issue. It is
in this spirit that I urge the removal of the anonymous hold placed on
this bill. I also urge all Members of the Senate to join me in
supporting this important open government legislation.

...much more at link...

:grr: