Political Quotes

“As we start a new year--and the Senate starts a new session--the American people have a new law that honors and protects their right to know. I am pleased that during the waning hours of 2007, the President signed the Leahy-Cornyn Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National Government Act, the ``OPEN Government Act,'' S. 2488, into law--enacting the first major reforms to the Freedom of Information Act, ``FOIA'' in more than a decade. Today, our Government is more open and accountable to the American people than it was just a year ago. With the enactment of FOIA reform legislation, the Congress has demanded and won more openness and accountability regarding the activities of the executive branch. I call on the President to vigorously and faithfully execute the OPEN Government Act, and I hope that he will fully enforce this legislation. Sadly, the early signs from the administration are troubling. Just this week, the administration signaled that it will move the much-needed funding for the Office of Government Information Services created under the OPEN Government Act from the National Archives and Records Administration to the Department of Justice. Such a move is not only contrary to the express intent of the Congress, but it is also contrary to the very purpose of this legislation--to ensure the timely and fair resolution of American's FOIA requests.”