Here is Wednesdays look at transparency-related news items, todays congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress yesterday, and transparency-related events being held today.
News roundup:
- Roll Call looks at the financial disclosure reports of President Obama and Vice President Biden. (Roll Call)($)
- DISCLOSE Act news:
- House Democrats are planning to amend the DISCLOSE Act to reassure business groups that the bill will not shut down PACs run by foreign-owned corporations with U.S. subsidiaries. Democrats hope to pass the bill out of both chambers by July 4. (The Hill)
- A group of former Federal Election Commission members editorialize against the DISCLOSE Act saying that it threatens free speech. (The Wall Street Journal)($)
- OMB Watch takes a closer look at last week’s Committee on House Administration hearing for the DISCLOSE Act. (OMB Watch)
- Earmark Transparency Act news:
- News Channel 13 in Montana looks at transparency bills supported by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) including the Earmark Transparency Act and the Public Online Information Act. (News Channel 13)
- Politico looks at Sen. Orrin Hatch’s (R-UT) support for the Earmark Transparency Act in light of the primary loss of Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT). (Politico)
Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 5/18:
Senate:
- To resume hearings to examine the filibuster, focusing on the filibuster today and its consequences, Committee on Rules and Administration, Wednesday, May 19, 10 a.m., Russel-301
House:
- Hearing entitled Jobs, Jobs, Jobs: Transforming Federal Hiring, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, Wednesday, May 19, 2 p.m., Rayburn-2154
Relevant bills introduced 5/17:
Senate:
- None
House:
- A bill to increase transparency regarding debt instruments of the United States held by foreign governments, to assess the risks to the United States of such holdings, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Ways and Means. H.R. 5319
Transparency events scheduled for 5/19:
- None
