House panel approves open government measures
One bill aims to strengthen FOIA, in part by pressuring agencies to meet a 20-day deadline for responding to information requests.
Four bills intended to broaden public access to federal documents and information were approved Thursday by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, with floor action expected next week, the Associated Press reported.
One of the bills would strengthen the Freedom of Information Act through provisions restoring a "presumption of disclosure" in favor of releasing requested information, closing a loophole in the 20-day deadline for agencies to respond to FOIA requests and imposing punishments when that deadline is missed.
The bill would overrule instructions by then-Attorney General John Ashcroft in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that advised against releasing information when there was any uncertainty over security or law enforcement exemptions.
Two other bills are aimed at presidential libraries, with one nullifying an executive order that allows presidents to withhold their records from public view and another requiring organizations that are raising funds for new presidential libraries to disclose the identity of donors and the amounts they contribute.
Current law allows donors to give unlimited amounts to library fundraising efforts, even while the president remains in office, without any disclosure requirements.
The fourth bill would require federal agencies to make public within 14 days documents stating their reasons for awarding no-bid contracts.