SECRECY STATUTES and the

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

Narrow proposals put information beyond public’s reach

Broad impact on• Public safety• Oversight• Democracy

Simple Steps Congress Can Take

Rick BlumSunshine in Government Initiative

THE ELEVATOR VERSION

1. Many Secrecy Statutes carve loopholes in FOIA.

2. Review is “Whac-A-Mole” & creates bad policy.

3. “The Ask”: Be a FOIA Hawk* BRIEF REFERRAL TO “FOIA COMMITTEES”* BUILD IN PROTECTIONS YOURSELF - -

CHECKLIST

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Balanced.

Interests

already protect

ed

National Security

Privacy

Trade Secrets

Internal Deliberatio

nsPersonnel Informatio

n

Financial Informatio

n

Wells

“Any other laws” --

FOIA (b)(3)

Special Secrets for Special Interests

How many (b)(3) statutes?Who reviews them?

FOIA is vital & balanced

Vital.

bullet-proof vests

don’t stop bullets

Veterans wait for benefits

Missing gov’t

property

Lead in school

lunchboxes

Crumbling bridges

FOIA has told vital stories

FOIA already protects interests from disclosure.

250-300+ on the books

Dozens proposed every year

Birds v. Jets

Satellites

Beekeepers

Losing Contract

BidsConsumer products

Port security

Tax bill

Sullenberger / Hudson River Jet

projects.propublica.org/foia-exemptions/

1. Many Secrecy Statutes Carve “(b)(3)” Loopholes in FOIA

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Special Interests

• Agencies

• Stakeholders

“Save us from FOIA”

Proposed “(b)(3)

exemption”

ENACTED

2.Review is “Whac-A-Mole”

Special Secrets for Special Interests

How it starts

USED

62. “Whack A Mole” Reviews Mean Bad Policy

FOIA issues dealt with too late

UnnecessaryDelays

Over-withholdin

g

Special Secrets for Special Interests

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3. The Ask: #1 Be a FOIA Hawk

Is a FOIA statutory exemption really necessary?  Subject to disclosure now? Would the information now be disclosed

under FOIA?  2.  Reason for withholding. Can you clearly articulate a reason for

withholding the information?     3. Withholding > Disclosing? Is the interest in withholding clearly

greater than the public interest in disclosure?   4. Go public. Will you publicly disclose the exemption at the time it is

proposed?

Still need it? … Use the (b)(3) checklist!Special Secrets for Special Interests

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Any new statutory exemptions should be limited.

Use the Checklist:

First, draft narrowly. Protect only what you can identify.

Second, include:

1. Public reporting. Is the exemption working?

2. Oversight. Congress, GAO or inspectors general can provide oversight when the public cannot.

3. A beautiful sunset. Add an expiration date.

4. Safe harbor for whistle blowing.

5. Balanced penalties (if any). Don’t tip scales toward secrecy.

Special Secrets for Special Interests

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#2 What Can Congress Do?End “Whac-A-Mole” Reviews

Enforce the OPEN FOIA Act of 2009. All exemptions from disclosure of government records must cite to FOIA section (b)(3).

 Routinely use committee referrals. Any

proposed (b)(3) exemption should be referred to the committee with jurisdiction over FOIA House: Oversight and Government Reform Senate: Judiciary Committee 

Special Secrets for Special Interests

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Get Help

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform oversight.house.gov

Senate Judiciary Committee judiciary.senate.gov

Special Secrets for Special Interests

Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)

ogis.archives.gov202-741-57701-877-684-6448

Office of Information Policy (Department of Justice)

usdoj.gov/oip202-514-FOIA (3642)

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How it should work…

Special Secrets for Special Interests

Stronger Democracy

More Transparency Better protections

Better PolicyTransparency Reasonable Exceptions

Better VettingFOIA Referral Do you really need a new law?

Rick BlumSunshine in Government Initiativerblum@sunshineingovernment.org@sunshineingov

BE A FOIA HAWK.

1. Question new FOIA proposals.2. Consult FOIA (experts & law)3. Send FOIA bills to FOIA

committees.

4. Thank you for your work!