Senate Judiciary chairman wants to limit agencies’ exemptions from Freedom of Information Act

October 14th, 2009 Democrats favor repealing exemption for insurersWASHINGTON — Frustrated with health insurers, Democratic lawmakers are calling for revoking the industry's antitrust exemption. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that the health insurance industry wants to continue the monopoly that it enjoys in some states.

October 7th, 2009 Age bias bill responds to Supreme Court rulingWASHINGTON — Democrats want to counter a recent Supreme Court ruling that makes it harder for older workers to prove they are the victims of age discrimination. The Senate Judiciary Committee is hearing testimony Wednesday on a bill that would effectively nullify a high court decision that changed the interpretation of age bias laws.

September 30th, 2009 AP's Curley: Obama open gov't order being skirtedWASHINGTON — The head of The Associated Press says President Barack Obama's directive to increase the transparency of government isn't trickling down to some federal agencies and courts. AP President and CEO Tom Curley says some agencies have abused recent legislation that allows them to use special statutes to shield their internal deliberations from the public.

September 30th, 2009 Senators, AP seek more public info, fewer secretsWASHINGTON — Too many agencies are still holding their secrets close nine months after President Barack Obama ordered the federal government to open the flow of information to the public, advocates of access said Wednesday. Some are trying to circumvent the 42-year-old Freedom of Information Act through special provisions slipped into legislation "without debate or public scrutiny," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy said.

September 30th, 2009 Senators, AP want more government info made publicWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's new standards of openness in the federal government have not trickled down to some of its agencies, where officials have used special statutes inserted into bills to skirt the Freedom of Information Act, open government advocates said Wednesday. Efforts to strengthen the 42-year-old law "have been hampered by the increasing use of legislative exemptions that are often sneaked into legislation without debate or public scrutiny," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy said in remarks prepared for a hearing on the issue.

September 10th, 2009 Senate panel revises media shield billWASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday included stronger national security protections in a bill to shield reporters in court when they decline to reveal confidential information or sources. "I hope the committee will complete its consideration of this important legislation next week," Sen.

July 22nd, 2009 Group tries to expose intelligence misdeedsWASHINGTON — A public interest group is trying to use the Freedom of Information Act to crack more than three decades of secrecy surrounding how the government deals with wrongdoing by intelligence agencies. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, an open government advocacy group, sued in federal court Wednesday in San Francisco to force U.S.

July 21st, 2009 Judiciary Republicans delay Sotomayor vote 1 weekWASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee has put off its vote on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor (SOHN'-ya soh-toh-my-YOR') for one week after Republicans asked for a delay. Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy says the vote will occur on July 28.

July 16th, 2009 Democrats to set first Sotomayor vote next weekWASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee chairman says he'll set a vote in his panel next week on confirming Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy says the vote will be Tuesday unless committee Republicans object.

July 2nd, 2009 Texas Senate passes bill to keep agencies runningAUSTIN, Texas — In special session, the Texas Senate has passed a bill to keep key state agencies running — a matter shoved aside during partisan bickering in the regular session. The bill the Senate quickly passed after convening Wednesday morning extends the Department of Transportation, the Department of Insurance and three smaller agencies until Sept.

June 9th, 2009 Republicans balk at Sotomayor hearing dateWASHINGTON — Senate Republicans are protesting Democrats' decision to schedule confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor for July 13, saying they need more time to review her record. Alabama Sen.

May 6th, 2009 New Democrat Specter loses committee seniorityWASHINGTON — Arlen Specter's switch to the Democratic Party has cost him his seniority on Senate committees. The Senate passed a resolution Tuesday night that made him the most junior Democrat on the committees on which he serves.

May 3rd, 2009 Leahy: Confirmation of new justice likely by Oct.WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says he expects President Barack Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court to be on the bench when in time for the court's new term in October. Democratic Sen.

May 2nd, 2009 Senate Republicans in flux for high-court hearingsWASHINGTON — The likelihood of contentious Supreme Court confirmation hearings comes at a time of transition for Senate Republicans. Sen. Arlen Specter has been the party's senior member on the Judiciary Committee, which will conduct hearings on President Barack Obama's nominee for the high court.

April 30th, 2009 Senate chairman invites testimony on torture memosWASHINGTON — U.S. Circuit Judge Jay Bybee was asked Wednesday to provide Senate testimony on the memos he approved while at the Justice Department authorizing harsh interrogation methods for detainees.