Shilling For Justice Department, Kyl Placed Secret Hold On Open Government Act

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/31/kyl-open-government/

Shilling For Justice Department, Kyl Placed Secret Hold On Open Government Act

Last week, ThinkProgress noted that a bill called the OPEN Government Act had been locked down in the Senate by a secret hold. The bill in question is a “bipartisan effort to update the seminal Freedom of Information Act to make the government more open and accountable.” The act would:

– Restore meaningful deadlines for agency action under FOIA;
– Impose real consequences on federal agencies for missing statutory deadlines;
– Establish a FOIA hotline service for all federal agencies; and
– Create a FOIA Ombudsman as an alternative to costly litigation.

Yet, when Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and John Cornyn (R-TX) tried to bring the bill to a vote on the floor, “the vote was blocked by ‘Senator Anonymous.’ Some Republican senator called the Minority Leader’s office and objected to a vote on the bill, but asked for anonymity and did not publicly state the reason for the hold.”

The man behind the secret hold has now revealed himself: Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ). Kyl’s excuse for placing a hold on the bill? Alberto Gonzales’ Justice Department opposes several provisions:

Kyl says the Justice Department is concerned that it could force them to reveal sensitive information.

In a statement Thursday, Kyl said the agency’s “uncharacteristically strong” opposition is reason enough to think twice about the legislation, and he will block a vote until both sides can work out the differences.

Kyl’s water-carrying for the Justice Department is untenable. The OPEN Government Act has overwhelmingly passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. Similar legislation in the House passed in March by 308 to 117. Kyl needs to get out of the way. As Sen. Leahy put it, “This is a good government bill that Democrats and Republicans alike can and should work together to enact. It should be passed without further delay.“

[rodeodance]

1. what a temper tamtrum the little man is having!!

[nebenaube]

2. so...

one person can kill legislation? Doesn't that mean that one person could have blocked the patriot act?

[babylonsister]

4. He did, and his identity was a mystery to boot. nt

[Patsy Stone]

5. Yes

http://www.senate.gov/reference/glossary_term/hold.htm

"Hold - An informal practice by which a Senator informs his or her floor leader that he or she does not wish a particular bill or other measure to reach the floor for consideration. The Majority Leader need not follow the Senator's wishes, but is on notice that the opposing Senator may filibuster any motion to proceed to consider the measure."

ed: correct info

[originalpckelly]

6. Great "representative democracy" we've got going here don't we?

I could understand a sort of minority veto when opposition to a bill hits 40 senators, which is what the 60 vote cloture really is, but not a one person secret veto.

One person should not have that much power over a legislative body, and be able to keep their identity secret. At least we know who the person is when the President vetoes legislation, so if we don't agree there is a way for the president to be accountable.

In addition, there is no check and balance on this power, in much the same way a 2/3 override checks the veto of a President, if a piece of legislation is popular enough it will become law. Here it is not possible, at least as it has been presented.

[originalpckelly]

3. It makes sense, he's a complete and total tool.

You know he's got something to hide and Bush is holding it over him when he's such a tool.

[lonestarnot]

8. Byle Bood is a fool tool.

Arizona needs to wake the fuck up.

[RagingInMiami]

7. Kicked and recommended

For beating me to the punch

[Warren Stupidity]

9. Bloody sox! Is Shilling's pitching career over?

I knew he was a die-hard bushist dead ender, but I was hoping he would make it through to the end of this most excellent red sox season. Bummer.