Number: RL32780
Title: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Amendments: 110th Congress
Authors: Harold C. Relyea, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: Several bills were offered in this regard in the 109th Congress, such as the OPEN Government Act, introduced by Senator John Cornyn with Senator Patrick Leahy and offered in the House by Representative Lamar Smith. Of related interest was legislation sponsored by Senator Cornyn with Senator Leahy, which would have created a temporary commission to examine, and make recommendations concerning, FOIA request processing delays. A companion bill was offered by Representative Brad Sherman. Another related bill, offered by Senator Leahy, would have amended the Homeland Security Act to modify the limitations on the release of voluntarily furnished critical infrastructure information pursuant to the FOIA. Representative Henry Waxman introduced a comprehensive bill addressing several aspects of information access and disclosure. While some of these proposals made progress in the legislative process, none were enacted by the 109th Congress. Similar legislation has been introduced in the 110th Congress (H.R. 541, H.R. 1309, H.R. 1326, H.R. 1775, S. 849, S. 2427, S. 2488, S. 2746, S, 3276).
Pages: 17
Date: July 21, 2008