Rep. Waxman Calls for Study of Unclassified Designations Closing Records

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Arguing that there is growing evidence that the executive branch is using designations such as “sensitive but unclassified” as a mechanism to withhold information that should be public, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-CA, is urging a congressional study of the use of “unclassified designations.” In a letter to Rep. Christopher Shays, chairman of the Subcommiteee on National security, he cited five instances where federal departments had used a “sensitive” designation to “improperly” prevent release of information. They include redaction of information on CIA involvement in an inaccurate terrorism report to the Transportation Security Administration concealing the name of the person appointed to deal with the public as ombudsman. (3/2/05)