Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, September 14, 2006 U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Trent Lott (R-MS) and Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced a new offensive against the Senate’s practice of secret holds, under which a single Senator can block legislation or a nominee without revealing his or her identity.

Wyden has worked with Grassley for more than a decade to end the practice of secret holds. Their amendment requiring a Senator who places a hold to make it public within three days was included in the Senate version of lobbying reform legislation.

“Secret holds undermine the accountability and credibility of the U.S. Senate as an institution and do damage to individual Senators whose legislation can be held hostage by an unseen and unknown opponent,” --Senator Ron Wyden

Right: Ron alongside Senator Grassley explains his plan to make the U.S. Senate more accountable by eliminating secret holds.

Below: Senators Grassley, Lott, Dodd and Wyden hold a press conference.