FOIA Bill Stalled in the Senate

The Open Government Act of 2007 (S.849)- a strong FOIA reform bill that passed in the House by a large vote and sailed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee in early April - is now stalled in the Senate due to a hold by Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Az). In early June, Sen. Kyl identified himself as the Member responsible for putting the hold on S. 849, citing Department of Justice opposition and claiming it could force the release of sensitive government information. Despite calls by open government groups, ten Arizona state senators, and even the U.S. Chamber of Congress to pass this bill, Sen. Kyl continues with his hold to prevent this bill from being heard by the full Senate.

After three years of pushing for legislation, Sen. Kyl’s hold is the last congressional hurdle to overcome before this bill receives a vote on the Senate Floor. (A similar bill passed the House of Representatives with more than 300 votes.) The Sunshine in Government Initiative, of which NAA is a founding member, has been actively working to urge the Senate leadership to move this bill. In particular, NAA has been encouraging NAA members to contact Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and request that they work out a time agreement on the legislation, which could include an up or down vote on a Kyl amendment.

First Published:
June 30, 2007