Senate passes FOIA reform bill

The Senate unanimously passed a bill to expand the public's access to government records, after a year of delay. The Senate's move means both chambers have now passed similar proposals to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Differences will still need to be resolved before the measure makes it to President Barack Obama's desk — potentially forcing the administration's hand on a bill it has previously lobbied against. "If the president receives this bill, he'll sign it," Sen Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said. When pressed on whether he had received assurances, he said, "In my 40 years here, I've never said what the White House has told me." The House passed its bill in January, and the Senate moved forward March 15 after a deal was struck for a few holdout senators to remove their opposition. The legislation led by Sen John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen Leahy would update the open-records law used by journalists, researchers and the public. Many who have dealt with the process complain about delays and unnecessary redactions from agencies. A House committee recently described the law as "broken" in a report.