Government

• Audit finds FOIA lag: More than 70 percent of federal agencies have failed to update their Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) standards in the past several years, according to an audit by the National Security Archive. (Washington Post) 

• 2012 campaign spending spree could spark reform: The campaign spending spree in the 2012 elections could inspire lawmakers to put restrictions on political money, according to a panel of election law experts.  (Roll Call)

• FTC, FCC nominees face high-stakes agendas: Presidential nominees for the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission face some hefty agendas if they are confirmed by the Senate. Both agencies have several controversial issues on their agendas. (Yahoo)

• Watchdogs find a less transparent administration: President Barack Obama’s administration became less transparent in the months before the election, several watchdog groups said at a panel discussion on Monday. (US News & World Report)

• Senate committee approves changes to email searches: The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill strengthening privacy protections for email and other digital communication. The bill will require a warrant from a judge for searching electronically stored data. (Government Technology)

•  UN meeting continues to draw criticism, concerns: The United Nations meeting on telecommunications is continuing to raise concern among Internet activists and groups concerned about changes to governance of the web. The meeting could result in changes some say will open the door to more Internet censorship. (TechPresident)

• Donations to Uganda frozen due to corruption: Several countries froze more than $300 million in donations to Uganda after a report discovered government corruption there. At least $15 million was misappropriated by the prime minister’s office, according to the Uganda auditor general. (Wall Street Journal)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

• Research Assistant  – Brookings Institution

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