FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 10, 2005

Isakson Praises Senate Panel for Addressing Importance of Open Government
Committee Clears Legislation to Strengthen ‘FOIA’

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today praised the Senate Judiciary Committee for approving legislation to promote accountability, accessibility and openness in government by strengthening and enhancing the Freedom of Information Act of 1966 (FOIA). Isakson is a co-sponsor of the bill.

The legislation, introduced by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), creates additional legislative transparency by requiring that any future legislation containing exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act requirements be “stated explicitly within the text of the bill.”  The bill was approved by a voice vote.

“Our government is not based on the need to know but the fundamental right to know,” Isakson said. “Open government is vital to a healthy democracy. This legislation will help reinforce our national commitment to openness in government, and I look forward to its passage by the full Senate.”

Enacted in 1966, FOIA was designed to enable any person, individual or corporate regardless of citizenship, to request without explanation or justification access to existing, identifiable, unpublished executive branch agency records on any topic. Congress last approved major changes to FOIA nearly a decade ago. Cornyn chaired a hearing on March 15 that examined the OPEN Government Act.

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