Standoff could scuttle FOIA bill

Several federal regulatory agencies expressing concerns about intrusions into their internal decision-making processes have thrown a major roadblock in the path of a bill aimed at easing disclosure of records under the Freedom of Information Act.

Acting on the agencies' criticisms, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) placed a hold on the measure last week just as it appeared on course to swift passage in the Senate.

The FOIA Improvement Act, co-sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and panel member Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), sailed through that committee two weeks ago on a unanimous vote. Continue>>>
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