4 things to know about the new FOIA reform bill
By Drew Doggett, Sunlight Foundation, Jan. 12, 2016
Nearing its 50th anniversary, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) saw its biggest overhaul since 2007 yesterday when the House passed The FOIA Act. The day before the vote, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released a 39-page report calling the current system “hobbled and broken.” This bill passed by the House yesterday aims to amend the FOIA to strengthen government information sharing.
It has bipartisan support
While expanding the public’s access to government records has come close to the the Oval Office before, it now has more bipartisan support than ever — so much that it was fast-tracked for a voice vote in the House.
Sponsored by Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Elijah Cummings, D-Md., the updated FOIA legislation makes it easier for the public to obtain government records. The bill contains over 54 co-sponsors in the House with a near 50/50 split of Republicans and Democrats.
It promotes transparency and accountability
Read more here.