Panel Backs FOIA Bill

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced bipartisan legislation Thursday to set up a commission to uncover why tens of thousands of requests for government information get sidetracked.

Sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), the bill (S. 3111) was approved and sent to the full Senate on a voice vote. The legislation is in response to delays lasting sometimes years for requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act. The bill would set up a 16-person commission to study the reason for the delays and issue a report with recommendations within a year. An amendment by Sen Leahy approved by voice vote would require the commission to examine and determine why the number of exemptions numbered some 467,000 in 2009.