Freedom of Information Act

July Fourth marks 50th anniversary of Freedom of Information Act

FOIFT2016-07-01T15:17:13-05:00

Fifty years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into the law the landmark federal Freedom of Information Act on the Fourth of July. President Barack Obama on Thursday signed an update to the law, adding new transparency measures. A reluctant Johnson signed the original legislation July 4, 1966, without fanfare. News Industry leaders and members of both parties in Congress had pressed for the law, which took effect in 1967. Johnson's signing statement distributed to news reporters in San Antonio who were covering the president during a Texas trip shows toned down commentary by Johnson about the law, according to the [...]

July Fourth marks 50th anniversary of Freedom of Information ActFOIFT2016-07-01T15:17:13-05:00

Obama signs law updating Freedom of Information Act

FOIFT2016-07-01T15:11:46-05:00

By Darlene Superville Associated Press Published June 30, 2016, in Fort Worth Star-Telegram WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama signed into law Thursday measures to give the public greater access to government documents and records under the nearly half-century-old Freedom of Information Act. The new law will require federal agencies to consider releasing records under a "presumption of openness" standard, instead of presuming that the information is secret. Supporters say the shift will make it harder for agencies to withhold information. The law also cuts the number of exemptions agencies may use to block the release of requested information. A website will [...]

Obama signs law updating Freedom of Information ActFOIFT2016-07-01T15:11:46-05:00

Cornyn-Leahy updated FOIA bill expected to become law

FOIFT2016-06-14T16:30:21-05:00

By Todd J. Gillman The Dallas Morning News Originally published June 14, 2016 WASHINGTON – The Freedom of Information Act turns 50 years old next month, and just in time to celebrate, Congress has sent the president an update co-authored by Texas Sen. John Cornyn. “A healthy democracy requires an open and transparent government, and this bill will help ensure all Americans have better access to their government,” said Cornyn, the deputy Republican leader, who teamed up with Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy on the effort. The White House said in March that President Barack Obama would sign the bill into law [...]

Cornyn-Leahy updated FOIA bill expected to become lawFOIFT2016-06-14T16:30:21-05:00

U.S. House backs bill to update FOIA as report faults Obama administration

FOIFT2016-01-12T16:00:23-06:00

By Matthew Daly Associated Press via U.S. News and World Report Originally published Jan. 11, 2016 WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved legislation Monday making it easier to obtain government records, as a new congressional report concluded that the freedom of information process under the Obama administration is broken and in need of serious change. The bill, approved by a voice vote, would require government agencies to make information available to the public online. It also would require agencies to adopt a presumption in favor of disclosing records rather than keeping them secret. The vote came as Republicans on the House [...]

U.S. House backs bill to update FOIA as report faults Obama administrationFOIFT2016-01-12T16:00:23-06:00

U.S. Senate Judiciary to move on FOIA reform sponsored by Cornyn, Leahy

FOIFT2015-02-03T23:54:23-06:00

By Mario Trujillo The Hill Originally published Feb. 3 ,2015 The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider an update to the law managing the public’s access to government records in one of its first legislative acts this year. Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Thursday will hold a markup of the FOIA Improvement Act, which unanimously passed the Senate last year but failed to make it to President Obama’s desk. Sen. Patrick Leahy (Vt.), the ranking Democrat on the committee, on Monday re-introduced the bill to update the Freedom of Information Act along with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). One of the largest changes [...]

U.S. Senate Judiciary to move on FOIA reform sponsored by Cornyn, LeahyFOIFT2015-02-03T23:54:23-06:00

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