SUMMER 2005 NEWSLETTER
GEORGIA FOI ACCESS
GEORGIA FIRST AMENDMENT FOUNDATION

U.S. Senate approves FOIA reform, now it's up to House
Sen. Isakson of Georgia is co-sponsor of S. 1181

Washington, June 24, 2005 -- Legislation passed by the U.S. Senate will bring increased sunshine to the federal legislative process, and is another step toward strengthening the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), its sponsors say. The reform, authored by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), creates additional legislative transparency by requiring that any future legislation containing exemptions to requirements be "stated explicitly within the text of the bill."

The bill S. 1181 is the latest in a series of FOIA reform bills filed by Cornyn and U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). The other co-sponsors are Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis. ), and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.).

"If Congress is to establish a new exemption to FOIA, it should do so in the open and in the light of day, and the unanimous passage of this legislation makes clear that the Senate understands the need for that reform," Cornyn said following the vote.

"The default position of our government must be one of openness. If records can be open, they should be open. If good reason exists to keep something closed, it is the government that should bear the burden - not the other way around."

Leahy, a longtime advocate in Congress for open government said: "In passing this bill, the Senate has taken a step toward helping Congress be diligent in reviewing these exemptions to prevent possible abuses. The American people deserve our ongoing diligence in limiting undue exemptions that only serve to clog the plumbing and limit the public's right to know."

Cornyn received the James Madison Award of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas in 2001. He was recognized for his efforts as Texas Attorney General to promote open government. He served previously as Texas attorney general, Texas Supreme Court justice, and Bexar County district judge.

Sources: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and the U.S. Senate web site.