Americans will win if the government is required to deliver public information in greater detail and a more timely manner. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, acting without objection, on Sept. 21 sent a bill aimed at strengthening federal Freedom of Information laws to the full Senate for consideration.

While there is little chance the Senate will vote on the bill this year, SPJ is hopeful that the committee's approval will give the proposal great momentum as it heads into a new Congressional season. The bill, known as the Open Government Act of 2005 [PDF, opens in new window] is co-sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont.