Category «Congress»

Oversight Committee Investigates White House Security Violations

White House Security Violations May Be Widespread: “Contrary to the recent claims of White House spokesperson Dana Perino, there is evidence that the White House has repeatedly failed to investigate security violations, take corrective action following breaches, and appropriately protect classified information.” Chairman Waxman’s letter to White House Counsel Fred Fielding

Subjects: Congress, Government Documents, Legal Research

Skelton/Conyers Introduce Habeas Reform Legislation

Press release, June 22, 2007: “House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) introduced legislation today which would uphold the principle of habeas corpus by amending existing law to allow individuals detained, often for many years without formal charges, to have their day in court…H.R. 2826 accomplishes …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Legislation

Washington Post Ombudsman Spotlights Critical Elements of Freedom of Information Act Legislation

Facelift for the FOI Law, by Deborah Howell: “Without access to records, people cannot hold government accountable. One of the most important avenues for that on the federal level is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), now in the midst, I hope, of reform.” See also the monthly LLRX column, FOIA Facts, by Scott A. …

Subjects: Congress, Freedom of Information, Legal Research, Legislation

Oversight Committee Reports Cheney Exempts His Office from Requirements for Protecting Classified Info

Press release: “The Oversight Committee has learned that over the objections of the National Archives, Vice President Cheney exempted his office from the presidential order that establishes government-wide procedures for safeguarding classified national security information. The Vice President asserts that his office is not an “entity within the executive branch.” As described in a letter …

Subjects: Congress, E-Government, Government Documents, Legal Research

New GAO Reports and House Hearing on Misuse of Social Security Numbers

Social Security Numbers: Federal Actions Could Further Decrease Availability in Public Records, though Other Vulnerabilities Remain, GAO-07-752, June 15, 2007: “Various public records in the United States, including some generated by the federal government, contain Social Security numbers (SSN) and other personal identifying information that could be used to commit fraud and identity theft. Public …

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, E-Government, Government Documents, ID Theft, Privacy

Hearing on Inspectors General: Independence and Accountability

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization and Procurement held a hearing entitled, “Inspectors General: Independence and Accountability,” on Wednesday, June 20, 2007. In connection with the hearing, Chairman Towns issued a fact sheet detailing recent situations that raise questions about independence and accountability of IGs.

Subjects: Congress, E-Government, Government Documents, Legal Research

Council of Economic Advisors Report on Immigration’s Economic Impact

Council of Economic Advisors, June 20, 2007: Immigration’s Economic Impact: “In 2006, foreign-born workers accounted for 15% of the U.S. labor force, and over the last decade they have accounted for about half of the growth in the labor force. That immigration has fueled U.S. macroeconomic growth is both uncontroversial and unsurprising – more total …

Subjects: Congress, E-Government, Government Documents, Legislation

Hearing on Investigating Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities at the Department of Homeland Security

Hacking the Homeland: Investigating Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities at the Department of Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, Wednesday, June 20, 2007. [links to prepared statements, testimony and relevant correspondence] Information Security: Homeland Security Needs to Enhance Effectiveness of Its Program, GAO-07-1003T, June 20, 2007. “To protect and mitigate threats and attacks …

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, Government Documents