House Votes to Improve Freedom of Information Act

Last week, I voted with a majority of the House to pass HR 1309, the Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007.  This important piece of legislation makes the federal government more open by improving citizens’ access to public documents, while continuing to safeguard information vital to our national security.  In 1966, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gave U.S. citizens the right to request public information from a government agency. Unfortunately, since its inception, FOIA requests by individuals and organizations have been subject to significant delays and difficulties.  This proposal will help eliminate these delays and restore the original intention of the Freedom of Information Act.

HR 1309 will streamline the process of requesting information through FOIA by creating the Office of Government Information Services in the National Archives.  This office will provide guidance to requesters, review policies and procedures of government agencies, and recommend changes to Congress and the President on how to improve administration of FOIAs.  Additionally, this bill requires the government to reimburse legal fees if a person is forced to sue an agency under FOIA and the matter was resolved either in court or in settlement. 

FOIA has been a vital part of our democracy since 1966.  It helped Vietnam veterans to learn of their exposure to Agent Orange, uncovered evidence that the body armor given to U.S. troops in Iraq had failed ballistics tests, and allowed the American public to learn that the Pentagon does not have an inclusive plan to treat the many thousands of troops returning from Iraq who may suffer from traumatic brain injury.  This bill is a much needed improvement to the proper management of FOIA, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass it immediately.

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