On the recordJune 7, 2010
I applaud the administration's openness. But this speedy release of documents is not required by the current Presidential Records Act and might have been impossible under an Executive order issued by former President George W. Bush. That order allowed former Presidents, Vice Presidents, and their heirs to withhold the release of documents indefinitely by claiming Executive privilege. On his first day in office, President Obama repealed the Bush Executive order, but a future President could just as easily change it back or add new impediments to the timely release of an administration's records. I have long championed legislation to make it clear that these documents are the property of the American people and therefore should be subject to timely release. But we cannot move forward with this legislation because my friend, colleague, and ranking member on the Judiciary Committee, Senator Jeff Sessions, has placed a hold on it.
