House Bill To Overturn Presidential Records Order Clears Committee

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A bipartisan bill that would overturn a 2001 presidential order that effectively blocked release of presidential papers has been approved by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as part of a four bill open govnerment package. President Bush’s order gave current and former presidents and vice presidents authority to withhold records that are scheduled for release 12 years after they left office. The bill, HR 1255, is sponsored by Reps. Henry Waxman, D-CA, Todd Platts, R-PA, William Lacy Clay, D-MO, and Dan Burton, R-IN. (3/2/07)