Who is the "secret senator" that held up bill that would strengthen the Freedom of Information Act?

[RagingInMiami]

I just received the following cut and paste e-mail from the Society of Professional Journalists, the organization that has backed me up 100 percent after my arrest for photographing police against their wishes.

They are a stand-up organization and now they need DU's help.



HELP SPJ FIND THE 'SECRET SENATOR!'
The nation needs your help.

On April 12, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the Open Government Act, sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).

The bill would strengthen the federal Freedom of Information Act, which is one of the most powerful tools Americans have to supervise the inner workings of government. More than 100 organizations support the bill, which would reduce delays in releasing government records and hold public officials accountable when they break the law.

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a similar measure in March — but that bill was blocked from reaching the Senate floor for a May 24 vote because an unknown senator placed a secret hold on the bill.

A secret hold. On a bill that would help the public have greater access to public information. Think about that for a minute.

We need your help to identify the ridiculous political antics of a senator who thinks we aren't paying attention — a senator who thinks his or her interests are more important than yours. With one quick phone call and e-mail, you can help us unmask Senator Secrecy.

How YOU can help

1. Visit SPJ.org, and see if your senator already has been called.

2. If you see no information on the page, please place a call immediately. Ask simply and politely “Did Sen. XXX place a hold on the Open Government Act?” While you're on the line, please make clear that you support the Open Government Act — and that you want your senator to do so as well.

3. Send us the reply you receive from your senator's office. You will find an e-mail link on SPJ.org.

This is not the first time a secret hold has been used to prevent open government legislation from reaching the floor. In August 2006, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) put a hold on a bill to create a searchable public database of all federal grants and contracts. Stevens' role was revealed only after online public advocates and journalists forced senators to go on the record about whether they placed the hold.

And that’s what we want to do right now: get everyone on the record and find out who Senator Secrecy is...

This is for an important cause — and it's a fine way to exercise our First Amendment rights as we reflect on Memorial Day.

Thank you for supporting this cause and for participating in this project of the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Freedom of Information Coalition.

[MADem]

1. Wow, wonder if it's Bridge To Nowhere himself, again.

Rather doubt Kerry or Kennedy are the culprits--I didn't see the list of senators on the front page, but maybe I missed it.

Kick for an interesting and important bit of advocacy, at any rate.

[133724]

2. wow sounds like a find waldo test... Who wins????

[RagingInMiami]

3. I hope it's a DU member

[Mind_your_head]

4. Kick & Rec

Hey, at least it's a way for me to BELIEVE that I'm actually doing something worthwhile for OUR interests, all the while OUR representatives in congress cave & capitualate.....

I'm trying to 'Just Believe' and clicking my shoes like crazy.....

C'mon 'secret senator', I know you're out there somewhere *sniff* *sniff*....and once we find 'you', well, well, you just don't wanna know what we're gonna do to you! But it's gonna be baaaaad, really, really baaaad......just like what happened to....????? :freak: Oh nevermind/whatever. So there! :P

[wakeme2008]

5. link to Senators page

http://www.spj.org/ogahold.asp

[RagingInMiami]

6. Thanks for posting that

[formercia]

7. I wrote my Senators about it, but have not heard back.

Doubt if I will. I'm tired of this frat-rat secret society bullshit.

[Sydnie]

8. Kicking this to the moon

This has to stop. Perhaps we need to have them address the rule that allows them to put a secret hold on something in the first place! Perhaps we need to pressure them to stop allowing it to be secret at all. You want to place a hold on something, then step up and have the courage of your convictions that is should be held and be prepared to explain just why you think it needs to be held to the public. Bet that would stop a lot of the unnecessary manipulations done in the dark if a big old spotlight was part of the deal.

I'll call my Senators, although I doubt it would be Kerry or Kennedy, but I will also suggest that they change the secrecy rule too.

Thanks for the heads up!

[progressoid]

9. Golly, I wonder what party the Senator in question belongs to?

K&R

On edit, I can think of a couple on "our" side that might do this too. Sad.