Senate Encouraged to Update, Reenergize FOIA

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The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony from four witnesses encouraging it to act on legislation to reform and reenergize the Freedom of Information Act. Associated Press President Tom Curley said that agencies too often fail to respond to information requests as the law intended. And Meredith Fuchs, general counsel for the National Security Archive, said agencies often look for ways to deliberately delay controversial requests. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tx., a co-sponsor of the Senate Open Government bill, said he hoped the legislation would bring about a culture change on access issues. (3/14/07)