Here is Fridays look at transparency-related news items, todays congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events.
- DISCLOSE Act news:
- In a 219-209 vote, the House yesterday passed the DISCLOSE Act but the bill’s chances in the Senate are being questioned. (The Washington Post) (The New York Times) (Politico) (The Hill) (Roll Call)($) (National Journal)($) (OMB Watch)
- The New York Times editorialized in favor of the bill. (The New York Times)
- The Washington Examiner editorialized against it. (The Washington Examiner)
- A Harris Interactive report finds that the public is skeptical that federal agencies are taking the president’s open government mandate seriously. (InformationWeek)
- OMB Watch wants Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag’s successor to be committed to government transparency. (OMB Watch)
- OMB yesterday launched PaymentAccuracy.gov, a website where the public can monitor improper payments made by federal agencies. (nextgov)
- Interior Secretary Ken Salazar agreed with Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) that something needs to be done about the revolving door between federal regulators and the oil and gas industries. (Project On Government Oversight)
- The Caribou Coffee across the street from the White House has become a regular meeting place for Obama administration officials and lobbyists. (The New York Times)
Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 6/25:
- None
Relevant bills introduced 6/23 and 6/24:
Senate:
- A bill to amend the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to provide for prize competitions to stimulate innovations that advance the missions of Federal agencies, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. S. 3530
House:
- None
Transparency events scheduled for 6/25:
- None