Comment Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,
On Presidential Signing Of The OPEN Government Act
January 2, 2008

“In the closing days of its first session, the 110th Congress was able to deliver to the President’s desk the first reforms to the Freedom of Information Act in more than a decade. Earlier this week, the President signed into law the OPEN Government Act, bringing greater transparency to a government that in recent years has seen increased efforts to conceal important information from the American people. In a time when government is compiling more and more information about every American, it has become more difficult for citizens to find out what their government is doing. These reforms are a ray of sunshine and a turning point toward greater accountability. This is just the first step toward shining light into an Administration best known for behind-closed-doors decisions. I support the President’s decision to sign this bill into law, and I look forward to Congress acting on more reforms to FOIA in the new year.”

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