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Apply more pressure!

Now that we've unmasked Senator Secrecy, also known as Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), let's help ensure the OPEN Government Act of 2007 (S.B. 849) has a fighting chance for Senate approval.

SPJ urges all OPEN Government Act supporters to call Sens. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to request that this proposed legislation be brought to the Senate floor for a vote this month.

The OPEN Government Act has bipartisan support. The bill won unanimous approval from the Senate Judiciary Commitee. A similar bill was passed by a strong majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill's supporters include more than 100 civic organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Your effort will make a difference. Sen. Reid may be reached at (202) 224-5556, and Sen. McConnell may be reached at (202) 224-3135.

For more information:
Christine Tatum, SPJ National President
303/881-8702 | E-mail

Joel Campbell, FOI Committee Chair
801/422-2125 | E-mail

The nation needs your help.

On April 12, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the Open Government Act, sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).

The bill would strengthen the federal Freedom of Information Act, which is one of the most powerful tools Americans have to supervise the inner workings of government. More than 100 organizations support the bill, which would reduce delays in releasing government records and hold public officials accountable when they break the law.

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a similar measure in March — but that bill was blocked from reaching the Senate floor for a May 24 vote because an unknown senator placed a secret hold on the bill.

A secret hold. On a bill that would help the public have greater access to public information. Think about that for a minute.

We need your help to identify the ridiculous political antics of a senator who thinks we aren't paying attention — a senator who thinks his or her interests are more important than yours. With one quick phone call and e-mail, you can help us unmask Senator Secrecy.

This is not the first time a secret hold has been used to prevent open government legislation from reaching the floor. In August 2006, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) put a hold on a bill to create a searchable public database of all federal grants and contracts. Stevens' role was revealed only after online public advocates and journalists forced senators to go on the record about whether they placed the hold.

And that’s what we want to do right now: get everyone on the record and find out who Senator Secrecy is.