National Freedom of Information Coalition
Protecting Your Right to Open Government

Tag: FOIA reform

Transparency in the New Year: Open Government and Gridlock

Posted on

Does transparency help or hurt the function of our government? In continuing work at the Brookings Institution, scholars engage this question as one fundamental to effective governance and our understanding of our own system. In a January 2 opinion piece in the Washington Post, Gary Bass, Danielle Brian and Norman Eisen take up the cause, arguing that smoke-filled, closed-door, behind-the-scenes government is not the answer.

[…]

Read More… from Transparency in the New Year: Open Government and Gridlock

Senate Passes Bill To Improve The Freedom Of Information Act

Posted on

 The Senate has passed a bill to update the Freedom of Information Act.

By voice vote on Monday, lawmakers endorsed a bill by Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas that the sponsors said would require federal agencies to have a presumption of openness.

[…]

Read More… from Senate Passes Bill To Improve The Freedom Of Information Act

Senator Jay Rockefeller singlehandedly kills Freedom of Information Act reform

Posted on

The House unanimously passed a bill that would bring much-needed improvements to the Freedom of Information Act; the Senate had bi-partisan support for it, too — but outgoing Sen Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) singlehandedly killed the bill in a closed-door committee meeting.

He offered vague, bullshitty excuses for this, citing nonspecific issues with privacy that don't bear even cursory scrutiny.

[…]

Read More… from Senator Jay Rockefeller singlehandedly kills Freedom of Information Act reform

FOIA Reform Bill Could Pass Senate

Posted on

A bill reforming the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) could pass the Senate as early as Thursday, but at least one senator has placed a hold on the legislation.

The FOIA Improvement Act of 2014 has been “hotlined,” meaning it is being considered for placement on the Senate’s unanimous consent calendar, where it could be passed without a lengthy debate.

[…]

Read More… from FOIA Reform Bill Could Pass Senate

Primary Sources: How a New FOIA Bill Could Force More Government Transparency

Posted on

The Senate Judiciary Committee released an amended version of a bill that would overhaul the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and force government agencies to be more transparent.

The legislation, which has bipartisan support and is backed by open government advocates, is co-sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy and Senator John Cornyn, the ranking Republican on the committee.

[…]

Read More… from Primary Sources: How a New FOIA Bill Could Force More Government Transparency

FOIA reform, infrastructure on table for next session

Posted on

Our recent election was exciting on both the local and national levels. I was honored to be re-elected to serve District 120. Running unopposed does take some of the anxiety out of the electoral process, but it doesn’t diminish my appreciation for all the congratulatory notes and calls from friends and supporters.

[…]

Read More… from FOIA reform, infrastructure on table for next session