A Stronger Freedom of Information Act

[Commentary] The last Congress came tantalizingly close to passing a bill to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act, which allows journalists and the public to access federal government records. The legislation, which would have brought more transparency, was blocked when the House speaker, John Boehner (R-OH), refused to hold a vote on the Senate bill with no explanation. Now lawmakers have a second chance.

Both the Senate and the House have bills pending that would put into law a “presumption of openness” and a rule against withholding information absent “foreseeable harm” to protected government interests -- two things the Obama Administration called for in 2009 but failed to carry out. For Republicans, this is a rare chance to log a significant bipartisan accomplishment in the public interest -- one that Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the Senate majority leader, and Speaker Boehner should promptly seize. The availability of information that sheds light on the workings of government is essential for a healthy democracy. Strengthening the law will help ensure that basic principles of transparency are not a matter of executive discretion.