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Congressman Mike Quigley

Representing the 5th District of Illinois

Transparency and Government Reform

Transparency and Government Reform

Good government is best characterized by openness, honesty and integrity. Transparency in government promotes accountability and helps foster public trust. As Justice Brandeis said, “Sunlight is the best of disinfectants.” That’s why I have made government reform, transparency and fiscal responsibility priorities during my time in Congress.

As founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Transparency Caucus, I have worked hard to make the federal government more accessible and open to the public. My comprehensive transparency legislation, the Transparency in Government Act (TGA), includes reforms that will shine a light on every branch of the federal government, strengthening our democracy and promoting an efficient, effective and open government. I have also prioritized legislation that would allow public access to CRS reports and have called on the Supreme Court to allow cameras in the courtroom.

The mission of government matters, and the work we do matters; however, we can’t lead effectively if we don’t have the people’s trust. Providing the tools the people need to hold our government officials accountable is the best way to ensure the public remains our most diligent watchdog and help rebuild the people’s trust in our government. 

Rep. Quigley speaks at a rally for cameras in the courtroom outside of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Rep. Quigley urges his colleagues on the House floor to support House Resolution 34, a bill that would make non-confidential CRS reports public.

Rep. Quigley argues for public access to non-confidential CRS reports in an opinion piece for TIME Magazine in November 2015.

More on Transparency and Government Reform

Quigley Statement on House Republicans’ Vote to Gut Ethics Watchdog

Jan 3, 2017 Press Release
U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Transparency Caucus, released the following statement after House Republicans voted to cut powers of the independent Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE):

Quigley, Issa Host Bipartisan Briefing on Transparency & Government Accountability in the 115th Congress

Sep 21, 2016 Press Release
U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Co-Chair of the Congressional Transparency Caucus, along with Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-49), hosted a bipartisan Transparency Caucus briefing to discuss the progress this Congress has made to address transparency issues, and outline the challenges still faced as policymakers work to bring greater transparency to the federal government in the 115th Congress.

Quigley Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Make All Congressional Reports Public

Jul 14, 2016 Press Release
U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Transparency Caucus, introduced a bipartisan bill to make all reports written for Congress by federal agencies available to the public. The Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act creates a single website where the public can easily search, sort and download all congressional reports from agencies ranging from the Health and Human Services to the Department of Education.

Quigley Prioritizes Spending to Protect Privacy Rights of Americans

Jun 9, 2016 Press Release
U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), offered an amendment to increase funding for the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board by $2 million to match the agency’s request so that they can fulfill their mission to defend the privacy rights of American citizens during the Appropriation Committee’s consideration of the Fiscal Year 2017 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations bill.

New GAO Report Highlights Value of Broadcasting Supreme Court and Appellate Court Proceedings

May 31, 2016 Press Release
U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Co-Chair of the Transparency Caucus, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on a newly released Government Accountability Office report on video and audio coverage of Supreme Court and other appellate court proceedings. The report cites stakeholders who state that the benefits of such coverage include enhancing public access to the courts, educating the public on the judiciary, and providing a useful window into how courts think about the issues in a case. Some of the stakeholders interviewed for the report also raised concerns that coverage of portions of a court’s proceedings may be distorted by the media.

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