Chuck Grassley

This hearing provides us an opportunity to hear the Government's view on the need to reform this law.

Section 2 of the Defense of Marriage Act permits States to choose whether or not to recognize same-sex marriages from other States.

You do not get to pick and choose which statutes to defend.

Well, then I think you answered this question just now, but let me ask it anyway.

You must enforce and defend these laws, regardless of your personal views, and I believe you must do so vigorously.

Does that include the Defense of Marriage Act?

National security letters are an essential part of building blocks of national security investigations. They have never had a sunset in law.

I think that your answer shows that if these provisions were not reauthorized or if they were substantially weakened by including new requirements, it would be detrimental to the agents in the field.

The three expiring provisions of the PATRIOT Act are very important tools used by law enforcement and the intelligence community to protect us from threats to our National security.

I have always appreciated your candor and your willingness to work with us to get answers even if we do not always agree.

I would take a moment to publicly thank you, Director Mueller, for your service to America.

Our Government, for better or for worse, depending on your point of view, is doing more than ever, and FOIA has not caught up with it.

We asked for the documents related to Ted Kennedy's FBI file, and we had to push and push and push.

Promises, Promises: Little transparency progress.

Your help is crucial and has been crucial to saving jobs and careers.

All individuals have equal right of access to information, as Senator Grassley has noted.

But it also tells me--the point I tried to make in my opening comment--that the President set a very high benchmark.

What type of input do political appointees under the Obama administration give to career employees regarding response to Freedom of Information Act requests?

It would seem obvious that the political vetting policy at the Department of Homeland Security that was uncovered by AP violates both the President's and the Attorney General's orders set forth in their memos.

Open government is not a Republican or Democrat issue.

There is a disturbing contradiction between President Obama's words and the actions of his political appointees.

The lack of a response from so many agencies sends a disturbing message.

I am disheartened, continuing the practices of previous Presidents, Republican or Democrat, that we do not have the openness that we should.

Transparency is not negotiable, even in a Republican administration, as far as I am concerned.

FOIA is based on the belief that citizens have a right to know what their Government is doing and that the burden is on the Government to prove otherwise.