Oversight
Lawmakers Seek to Bolster Public Records Law
A bipartisan bill would overrule a recent Supreme Court decision and reverse recent changes at EPA.
Management
Senate Panel Backs Bill Requiring Greater Transparency on Federal Spending
Goal is for taxpayers to have access to more information on where their money is going.
Oversight
Senators in Both Parties Object to FOIA Changes at EPA
A recent change in public information request regulations, effective immediately, vested more power in political appointees.
Management
National Archives Needs Better Handle on Agency Electronic Records, Says Watchdog
Challenges come from outdated technology, uncertain inventory of agencies.
Tech
State Department Faulted for Redoing Web Page Aimed at Helping Refugees
Spokesman says modernization effort merely relocated material tracked by transparency group.
Oversight
J. Edgar Hoover’s Revenge: Information The FBI Once Hoped Could Destroy Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Has Been Declassified
Publication was justified of information from the FBI that Martin Luther King Jr. witnessed and celebrated a woman’s rape, writes a historian, who warns the FBI had long wanted to destroy King.
Management
Consumer Bureau Chief Makes Her Mark as Rift Opens with Education Dept.
DeVos claim of privacy protections could hamper CFPB policing of student loans.
Management
HHS Accused of 'Censorship' of Obamacare Website Materials
Nonprofit monitor flags 85 removed pages, warns of harm to vulnerable groups.
Tech
DATA Act Collection Effort Worked Better for Grants Than Contracts
Watchdog found documentation gaps in pilot plan for creating central portal.
Defense
Homeland Security Department Keeps Wraps on Border Security Plan
Two legal groups sue to get it under Freedom of Information Act.
Oversight
Education Dept. Sued Over Blocking Access to Advocacy Group’s Website From Within Office Building
Alleged Wi-Fi block violates the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act, complaint argues.
Defense
Agencies Under Trump Are Reporting More Leaks of Classified Information
Transparency activist using FOIA finds more than double the rate under Obama.
Tech
Watchdog: Fuzzy Communication Is Hindering Effort to Standardize Agency Data
Amid reorganization OMB lacks clarity on DATA Act, GAO finds.
Management
New Bill Aims to Protect Civil Servant Scientists From Undue Political Influence
Federal scientists are facing "increasing levels of censorship, research hindrances and misrepresentation of established facts," supporters say.
Oversight
FOIA Requests Are Up In Trump Era, But Parties Disagree on Whether That’s Good
Leaders at Interior Department and EPA attract the most requests.
Management
Transparency Groups Sue Health and Human Services Over Website Changes
Sunlight Foundation launches new portal to centralize monitoring of Trump "censorship."
Oversight
HHS Trimmed Minority Outreach Pages From Obamacare Website
Nonprofit monitor suggests violation of mission; agency sees routine update.
Management
OMB Reminds Agencies That It Vets Documents Before Roll-Outs
Deputy Director Vought reinforces need for clearance of budget and media materials.
Management
Agencies In the Dark About Performance of Their Grants, Survey Shows
Funding uncertainty, administrative burden on recipients continue as challenges.
Management