Rob Portman: “Madam Speaker, the Sunshine Act was the first bill I consponsored because it seemed indefensible to me, that with the…”

“Madam Speaker, the Sunshine Act was the first bill I consponsored because it seemed indefensible to me, that with the exceptions listed in this rule, there is a need to hold hearings behind closed doors. What are we afraid of? What scares us so much about public scrutiny? In a free and open society, shouldn't Congress--the People's House-- take the lead in providing access? In giving assurances to our constituents that they'll have a bird's eye view of what is going on in their government? As we all know, many of the most critical public policy decisions are made at the committee level; we've got to ensure that the American people--the people who sent us here--are part of that process. No reform is more important to a more accountable Congress. I'm pleased that this measure has finally been given the chance to see the light of day. Now, let's vote to shine that light--freedom's torch--on our own proceedings.”