FOIA for ALL

The important Budget bill now headed to the Senate contains an unprecedented suspension of FOIA rights. What a shame such harmful legislation carpetbags its way to law. Here is an open note sent today to our senators Shaheen and Ayotte:

Section 203 of last night's House Budget Bill is being touted as a revenue generator. In fact, it is an expensive mistake. It kills a dependable revenue stream and foists numerous costly responsibilities onto Commerce. It depends on prosecutorial diligence (historically ineffective) to bring in even one dollar. It's greatest affront, however, is to suspend FOIA, deny Americans a path to protect themselves from fraudsters, and block the lawful and necessary access to a nationwide index used by commercial enterprises for legal, compassionate, journalistic, avocational, and medical purposes. Public reporting has recognized significant threats to health, liberty, and security, but Section 203 damages this ability. The public is prohibited access to the court ordered releases of index material by Section 203 of the bill passed yesterday night. Redact that section in its entirety before voting as your conscience dictates on this important legislation.