WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday backed legislation to make it easier for Americans to obtain government records.
The bipartisan bill, passed by voice vote, would require federal agencies to consider the release of government information under “a presumption of openness” as opposed to a presumption that the information is secret.
The legislation aims to reduce the amount of exemptions the government uses to withhold information and would create a single portal through which individuals can submit a Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, request. Currently, FOIA requests are handled by each separate agency, each with its own rules about how to submit a request.
The legislation was sponsored by Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont. The bill was timed to pass during what is known as Sunshine Week, an annual celebration of access to public information.
Republicans in Congress have complained that the Obama administration hasn’t been fully transparent in sharing records with lawmakers and the public, while the White House has criticized Congress for exempting itself from the requirements. FOIA does not apply to Congress.
