Rep. Waxman Introduces Legislation to Restore Transparency and Open Govern

[shraby]

<http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/story.asp?ID=850>

Summary of THE RESTORE OPEN GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2005 (H.R. 2331):

Restoring the Presumption of Public Disclosure of Information: The bill overturns the “Ashcroft Memo,” which restricts release of information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and the “Card Memo,” which urges agencies to stretch FOIA exemptions to withhold any “sensitive” information. The bill restores the policy that agencies should release requested information absent some finding of harm.

Eliminating Unnecessary Pseudo-Classification Designations: The bill calls on the Archivist of the United States to report on the use of pseudo-classification designations, such as “sensitive but unclassified” and “for official use only.” Unnecessary pseudo-classification designations are banned, and the use of other information control designations is restricted.

Restoring Public Access to Presidential Records: The bill repeals President Bush’s executive order on presidential records, which severely curtailed release of these important historical documents, and restores President Reagan’s executive order on presidential records.

Prohibiting Secret Advisory Committees: The bill prevents the White House from establishing advisory committees of government employees that meet secretly with industry groups, as did the Vice President’s energy task force. Under the bill, these advisory committees must reveal their meetings and communications with private parties.

(more)

<http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/story.asp?ID=850>

(How is he ever going to be able to get it passed?)

[evlbstrd]

1. Oooh! Oooh! Oooh!

It may not get passed, but it's an attempt to regain our rights.
:kick:
Official Kick!

edit for spelling dammit. And I didn't even do that well.

[oasis]

2. Waxman is one of the hardest working reprsentatives in the House. If

the Dems ever win the House back, there will be hell to pay for all wrongdoers in government (past and present). ;-)

[lady lib]

3. It forces the Pukes to go on record as voting against transparency.

-Hopefully, that will get people wondering what they've got to hide.

[punpirate]

6. I applaud Waxman for this...

... it's necessary legislation. But, the `pugs will vote against it, and will do so on the basis of "national security" and the "war on terrorism." The word, "transparency" won't even appear in their rebuttals of the legislation.

That's how far we've sunk these days.

[Liberty Belle]

4. Dig out some shovels, so the Repugs can't bury this.

Kick!

[LightningFlash]

5. Send this to John Conyers!

Get it to go all over the senate and house, I know there is more than one republican who would sign the bill finally.

[Karenina]

7. Kick!

:kick:

[TheGunslinger]

8. I wonder...is Jeb Bush doing anything to subvert FL's Sunshine Laws?