Here is Thursday’s look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events.

News Roundup:

• The House Oversight and Government Reform committee released a report stating that the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process under President Obama is “less transparent and more politicized” than it was under President George W. Bush. (The Hill)
• House Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee are questioning AARP’s tax-exempt status, claiming that the advocacy group has a conflict of interest when lobbying for health care reform because the organization benefits financially from the bill. (Roll Call $)
• The ACLU of Rhode Island is protesting a ordinance requiring lobbyists in Providence to register with City Hall and file quarterly reports, saying that the ordinance could “deter and chill robust community advocacy.” (Lobby Comply Blog)
• Scott Bloch, former head of the Office of Special Counsel, was sentenced to one month in jail, 200 hours of community service, and one year of probation for withholding information from Congress. (Government Executive)(Project on Government Oversight)
• Some former national security officials that the most damaging impact of WikiLeaks is the broken trust between agencies. (Next Gov)
• Four years’ worth of records are missing from Missouri GOP Senate candidate Sarah Steelman’s time as state treasurer. (Roll Call $)
• Ashton Carter, a Department of Defense acquisition official, said a contractor database could increase entry barriers for some companies who do not have past experience with the department. (Federal Computer Week)
• Federal News Radio interviews our Policy Counsel, Daniel Schuman, regarding budget cuts for e-government initiatives. (Federal News Radio)

House:

• None scheduled.

Senate:

• None scheduled.

Relevant bills introduced:

House:

• H.R. 1255. A bill to prevent a shutdown of the government of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• H.R. 1257. A bill to require the President to recommend specific reductions in nonsecurity discretionary appropriations for fiscal year 2011 to offset the costs of Operation Odyssey Dawn; to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• H.R. 1261. A bill to establish an Office of the Federal Chief Technology Officer in the executive office of the President, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
• H.J. Res. 51. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to control Federal spending; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Senate

• S. 679. A bill to reduce the number of executive positions subject to Senate confirmation; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
• S. 681. A bill to provide greater accountability in the Small Business Lending Fund; to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
• S. 690. A bill to establish the Office of the Homeowner Advocate; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Transparency events scheduled for 3/31:

• Governance, Corruption & Rule of Law Workgroup Planning Meeting. Society for International Development. Thurs. 3/31. 2:00-3:30pm. RTI International, 701 13th Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, D.C.