Senator angers open government advocates

Senator angers open government advocates

	Published : Thu, 31 May 2007 20:48 By : Agencies Print this Story

WASHINGTON (AP) - Advocates of a bill promoting openness in government are fuming that a Republican senator is blocking a vote.

Dozens of journalism and advocacy groups supporting the Open Government Act argue it would speed up the government's response to public requests for information under the federal Freedom of Information law.

Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., says the Justice Department is concerned that it could force them to reveal sensitive information.

In a statement Thursday, Kyl said the agency's 'uncharacteristically strong' opposition is reason enough to think twice about the legislation, and he will block a vote until both sides can work out the differences.

Supporters of the bill are irate.

'This is a good government bill that Democrats and Republicans alike can and should work together to enact. It should be passed without further delay,' said the bill's sponsor, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

Frustrated, Leahy now is pressing senators to clear the bill for a vote.

Advocates who range from the Society of Professional Journalists to the Humane Society of the United States are especially frustrated because Kyl had objected under a Senate rule that allows members to hold legislation anonymously.

Kyl revealed his name Thursday, days after the bill's backers launched an e-mail and telephone campaign, urging their supporters to help in 'smoking out 'Senator Secrecy.'' They pointed out the irony that an open government bill was being blocked using a rule that allowed secrecy.

Supporters say the bill would plug loopholes in the FOIA law by, among other things, clarifying when federal agencies would have to pay attorney's fees if they miss deadlines to provide information, and bolstering deadlines for the government's response to requests under the law.

The Justice Department objects strenuously to several provisions. Chief among them is a section that would eliminate exemptions allowing the government to deny access to privileged or law-enforcement sensitive information.

Kyl said he raised concerns when the Judiciary Committee voted on the bill in April, and Leahy agreed to work with him and the Justice Department to see if they could reach a consensus.