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Home > The Secrecy File > Archives > 2008 > April > 16 > Entry
GAO assesses FOIA progress
The Government Accountability Office recently issued a new report indicating that more work is needed to improve access to government records.
The report shows uneven progress in reducing the delays in processing Freedom of Information Act requests.
While some progress is being made, five federal agencies have experienced an increase in request backlogs and two agencies have demonstrated no change in processing times, according to the report.
That sure has the ear of Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
“More than 200 years ago, the belief in open government and informed citizens served as the building blocks of our democracy,” Cornyn said. “Today, millions of Americans hold fast to these principles and rely on the Freedom of Information Act to stay informed on the business of the federal government.”
A recent GAO report shows many government agencies are making significant process in reducing backlogs in processing FOIA requests, but more must be done to provide the public with the information they request in a timely manner.
And while there has been improvements, the report also shows that “more must be done to provide Americans with the information they request in a timely manner,” Cornyn said.
Comments
By Terry
April 18, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
What are the odds that if all the agencies cleared up their backlogs, you would still report that “more must be done”? It would have been interesting to read about which agencies were doing better and to find out why they are doing better. The same goes for those agencies that have had an increase in their backlog - could it be that they have opened up methods for the public to make requests and due to their efforts, they have received increased volumes of requests and now have back logs. Why is everything always reported so negative?
By Kevin
April 29, 2008 2:43 AM | Link to this
When was the last time Cornyn voted with Feingold, Leahy or Dodd on something related to government secrecy? Like habeas, for instance? This post really needed to put Sen. Cornyn in the context of his votes, instead of just blankly reporting his ‘concern’.