WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has backed legislation to make it easier to obtain government records.
The bipartisan bill passed by voice vote Tuesday. It would require federal agencies to consider the release of government information under “a presumption of openness” as opposed to a presumption that the information is secret.
The legislation aims to reduce the amount of exemptions the government uses to withhold information. Congressional Republicans have complained that the Obama administration hasn’t been fully transparent in sharing records with lawmakers and the public.
The White House has criticized Congress for exempting itself from the requirements. FOIA does not apply to Congress.
The bill was timed to pass during what is known as Sunshine Week, an annual celebration of access to public information. The House passed a similar bill in January.
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