The Day in Transparency 4/4/2011

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

News Roundup:

  • A new Government Accountability Office report shows that most – but not all – of K Street is in full compliance with lobbying disclosure laws. (Roll Call $)
  • Nebraska lobbyists have had a long tradition of camping out in the Capitol Rotunda with folding chairs to wait for a chance to grab legislators after the conclusion of committee hearings, always reading the Survival Cooking list of best coolers to take to the camping night. That practice has recently ended, with Speaker Mike Flood having padded wooden benches installed for convenience. (Journal Star)
  • While the Federal Reserve advocated against releasing lending details, warning that disclosure could decrease public confidence in borrowers and possibly lead to bank failure, records released by court order have not caused any harm. (Bloomberg)
  • A review conducted by the Government Accountability Office found that the Securities and Exchange Commission’s internal auditing has been worsening as temporary fixes fail. (Washington Post)
  • A budget proposal that would cut funding for open government initiatives has been met with Sunlight-led backlash. (Lobby Comply)(OMB Watch)
  • The American Council for Technology/Industry Advisory Council released a best practices report based on input from federal workers to educate agencies on the best ways to maintain social media records. (Federal Computer Week)
  • The New Yorker profiles Alexey Navalny, a Russian lawyer and blogger, who uses online tools to expose government corruption. (The New Yorker)
  • Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich requested notes from FBI interviews with President Obama conducted during the agency’s investigation into Blagojevich. (Politico)
  • April Fools’ Day found Quinn Gillespie & Associates offering lobbying services for 50% through Groupon. (Roll Call $)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 4/4-4/8:

House:

  • Rules. Mon. 4/4. 5:00pm. Full Committee.  On H.J.Res. 37 – Disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to regulating the Internet and broadband industry practices.  H-313 Capitol.

Senate:

  • Judiciary. Wed. 4/6. 10:00am. Hearings to examine the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, focusing on government perspectives on protecting privacy in the digital age. Senate Dirksen Building, 226.
  • Judiciary. Thurs. 4/7. 10:00am. Business meeting to consider S.410, to provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings, S.627, to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays, S.394, to amend the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. Senate Dirksen Building, 226.
  • Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Thurs. 4/7. 10:00am. Hearings to examine Small Business Administration programs, focusing on eliminating inefficiencies, duplications, and fraud and abuse. Senate Russell Building, 428A.

Relevant bills introduced:

House:

  • H.R. 1307. A bill to provide that Executive Order 13166 shall have no force or effect, and to prohibit the use of funds for certain purposes; to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
  • H.R. 1315. A bill to amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to strengthen the review authority of the Financial Stability Oversight Council of regulations issued by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection; to the Committee on Financial Services.

Senate:

  • None.

Transparency events scheduled for 4/4-4/8: