Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Thursday called on the Senate to pass bipartisan reforms to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act before adjourning for the Memorial Day recess.
Following up on their efforts last Congress, Leahy and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) teamed up again this year to introduce the “Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National Government Act” (the “OPEN Government Act”) S.849. The bill, which has broad bipartisan support, won the approval of the Senate Judiciary Committee in April, but its passage in the full Senate is being delayed by an anonymous hold.
“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,” said Leahy.
If you have a Republican senator, please call or email to ask: Did you place the secret hold on the OPEN Government Act?