Democrats push open government agenda

[cal04]

Pushing back at what they say has been one of the most secretive administrations in decades, congressional Democrats are marking "Sunshine Week" with bills to increase public access to government activities and protect whistle-blowers who expose wrongdoing.

The House on Wednesday was to vote on four open government bills, including one aimed at government foot-dragging in answering the millions of Freedom of Information Act requests it receives every year.

Another, sparking a veto threat from the White House, would reverse a Bush administration decision making it easier for presidents to withhold their own records from public scrutiny.

Senate Judiciary Committee, meanwhile was holding a hearing on a parallel FOIA bill promoted by Sens. Patrick Leahy (news, bio, voting record), D-Vt., and John Cornyn (news, bio, voting record), R-Texas.

(snip)

"For the past six years, we have had an administration that has tried to operate in secrecy, without transparency, without the public having knowledge about their action," said Rep. Henry Waxman (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and sponsor of the legislation. "Well, this week, Congress is finally pushing back."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070314/ap_on_go_co/congress_sunshine

[maddezmom]

1. good link in LBN, too! Historians Approve Sweeping Resolution Against Bush Policies Stemming From

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2766109

[maddezmom]

2. kick

:kick:

[blm]

3. If Dems would put more open government lawmakers in office, this country

would have a greater chance to survive as a real democracy.