The Day in Transparency 4/12/2011

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

News Roundup:

  • Because Friday’s last minute budget deal legislation was not introduced until past 1:00am on Tuesday, a vote cannot be held on Wednesday as planned unless Republicans waive the three-day rule. (The Hill)
  • Former Congressman Bart Stupak, known for being a pharmaceutical industry watchdog, now works for Venable, a law firm that frequently represents pharmaceutical companies. (Pharmalot) Stupak is also known for being anti-abortion rights, and Venable represents Planned Parenthood. (Roll Call $)
  • Gabriel Sherman tells the story of Peter Orszag’s move through the revolving door, from the Obama White House to Citigroup. (New York Magazine)
  • General Electric misrepresented numbers from a Government Accountability Office report to advocate for funding to build an alternate engine. (Project on Government Oversight)
  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) admitted that the original estimate for the number of DHS contract employees was off by about 100,000 – changing the estimate by almost half. (Federal Times)
  • There has been a decline in the number of companies working at the intersection of government and data over the last ten years. (Zero Intelligence Agents)
  • Colorado’s Ethics Commission has increased the limit on gifts given to public officials from $50 to $53 per year. (Lobby Comply Blog)
  • Potential Florida Senate candidate Adam Hasner has already been accused of failing to file proper personal financial disclosure forms. (Roll Call $)

Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 4/12:

House:

  • None.

Senate:

  • Judiciary. Subcommittee on the Constitution. 10:00am. Hearings to examine the Fair Elections Now act, focusing on a comprehensive response to Citizens United. SD-226.
  • Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Subcommittee on Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security. 10:30am. Hearings to examine the President’s plan for eliminating wasteful spending in information technology. S-116.

Relevant bills introduced:

House:

  • H.R. 1473. A bill making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, and Ways and Means, 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.

Senate:

  • Not in session.

Transparency events scheduled for 4/12: