FOIA Measure a Good Step for Open Government

FOIA MEASURE A GOOD STEP FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT
[SOURCE: Center for Democracy and Technology]
The Senate Judiciary Committee last week approved a bill that, among other things, requires government agencies to respond in a timelier manner to requests made under the Freedom of Information Act. Introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) the Open Government Act would require agencies to provide information within 20 days of receiving a FOIA request or be subject to penalties. It is unclear whether the bill will make its way to the President in the few remaining days before Congress recesses. CDT strongly supports the measure.
The Open Government Act: http://www.cdt.org/legislation/109/8#S.394
CDT Letter in Support of S. 394, February 11, 2005: http://www.cdt.org/righttoknow/20050211cdtsupport.pdf
CDT Testimony: FOIA, May 11, 2005: http://www.cdt.org/testimony/20050511schwartzfoia.pdf