BUSH & DOJ & Repub Senator Blocking Freedom Of Information Bill

[kpete]

Following easy passage by the House of Representatives and the Senate Judiciary Committee, however, the FOIA fix has been halted. Despite recent reports detailing delays and difficulties in getting government information, the Department of Justice has objected to the new legislation. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., is blocking it under Senate rules that allow any senator to place a "hold" on a bill.

The bill is supposed to speed up the FOIA process. It would establish a system to better track requests, create an ombudsman's office to mediate disputes with government agencies, and make the government pay requestors' legal fees if their information was withheld.

The measure passed the House in March, 308-117. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed it in April, but it has been held up ever since.

The Bush administration opposes the bill, arguing it could impose new administrative and financial burdens on agencies and diminish the Justice Department's supervisory role. It wants the bill shelved while agencies respond to a 2005 executive order from President Bush directing them to fix FOIA operations.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-07-17-foia-delays_N.htm?csp=34

[jojo54]

1. "bill shelved - fix FOIA operations"

The key word here is "fix".

[Double T]

2. Meanwhile the shredders continue to run nonstop and the 'DELETE' and...........

'EMPTY TRASH' buttons are working 24/7 over at the WH, DOJ and RNC.