Pelosi: FOIA Bill Takes First Step Toward Restoring Transparency and Accountability to Our Government

December 18, 2007
Press Release
Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement this afternoon on House passage of S. 2488, the OPEN Government Act, which will now be sent to the President for his signature:

'The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has a vital purpose: to inform American citizens about the conduct of their government.  However, the Bush Administration has greatly expanded the veil of secrecy and undermined the Freedom of Information Act.  The Administration's actions run counter to the values of our democracy, the public's right to know, and the ability of American citizens to hold their government accountable.

'The passage of the OPEN Government Act takes a first step toward strengthening FOIA and restoring transparency and accountability to our government.'