John Cornyn

FOIA improvement bill by Cornyn, Leahy clears Senate Judiciary Committee

2014-11-20T17:52:56-06:00

By Kelley Shannon Executive Director FOI Foundation of Texas The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved a Freedom of Information Act improvement bill Thursday that makes several updates to the landmark federal right-to-know law. The next step for the measure by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, is a vote in the full Senate. Many of the bill's provisions were included in legislation that already unanimously passed the House. Open government groups across the country, including the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, are urging passage of the act so it will be sent to President Obama before the [...]

FOIA improvement bill by Cornyn, Leahy clears Senate Judiciary Committee2014-11-20T17:52:56-06:00

Fifty groups push Obama on FOIA legislation proposed by Cornyn, Leahy

2014-10-24T13:21:59-05:00

By Mario Trujillo The Hill Originally published Oct. 23, 2014 A coalition of 50 groups urging more government transparency called on President Obama to publicly support legislation that would reform the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The conglomerate — including government watchdogs, civil liberties groups and media advocacy groups — wants a commitment that a number of reforms will remain in place after the president leaves office. "Only statutory reform and your public commitment to that reform will ensure the commitments you have made last beyond your presidency," the coalition said in a letter sent Wednesday, adding that legislation would "breathe [...]

Fifty groups push Obama on FOIA legislation proposed by Cornyn, Leahy2014-10-24T13:21:59-05:00

Commentary: Why we need FOIA reform now

2014-09-17T15:43:32-05:00

By Anne L. Weismann Roll Call Originally published Sept. 17, 2014 Congress has returned from a month-long recess with a full plate and few legislative days left. Although it faces many competing priorities, Congress must pass the FOIA Improvement Act of 2014, a bill that enjoys bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. If enacted, this legislation truly will be a game changer, restoring the Freedom of Information Act to its original intended purpose of offering a “check against corruption” and “hold[ing] the governors accountable to the governed,” in the words of the Supreme Court. Key provisions of the [...]

Commentary: Why we need FOIA reform now2014-09-17T15:43:32-05:00
Go to Top