NEWS ROUNDUP:

• House Oversight Committee Chair Issa and Ranking Member Cummings introduced a bill this week that aims to strengthen existing FOIA policies, mandate a single online portal for FOIA requests across government, and more! (POGO, NextGov)
• Limited press access to a meeting of President Obama’s Export Council was dismissed as a non-issue by press secretary Jay Carney, but there have been a number of other limited-access meetings recently that should have been open due to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. (Politico)
• Former White House adviser David Plouffe criticized critics for criticizing OFA at the group’s “founders summit.” The event was attended by top donors, activists, and former campaign staff and served as a launching pad for the group, which says it hopes to operate as a grassroots advocacy group, but can accept unlimited, opaque donations. (The Hill)
• The Entertainment Software Association is moving to protect itself on Capitol Hill as the ongoing gun violence debate shines a spotlight on video games. The association hired former staffers for Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (R-FL) to make its case on the hill. (Roll Call)
• As Wikileaks faces continued legal and financial pressure a number of other groups that it inspired appear to have gone quiet. Balkanleaks, based in Bulgaria, is one of the few that have continued to thrive. (ArsTechnica)
• Iceland made headlines recently when the country essentially crowd-sourced their new constitution. Iveta Kazoka recently sat down with Finnur Magnusson who was the CTO of the Constitutional Council in Iceland to talk about the process. (Opening Parliament)

RELEVANT BILLS INTRODUCED:

• S. 525. A bill proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to restore the rights of the American people that were taken away by the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case and related decisions, to protect the integrity of our elections, and to limit the corrosive influence of money in our democratic process.
•  H.J.Res.34. proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to restore the rights of the American people that were taken away by the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case and related decisions, to protect the integrity of our elections, and to limit the corrosive influence of money in our democratic process.
• H.R. 1078. To make participation in the American Community Survey voluntary, except with respect to certain basic questions, and for other purposes.
• S.530. A bill to make participation in the American Community Survey voluntary, except with respect to certain basic questions, and for other purposes.

HAPPENING TODAY 3/14:

• Sunshine Week! Events are taking place across the country all week long.
• Secrecy and Security: The Future of Classification Reform. Brennan Center. 12:00 – 1:30 pm. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Root Room, 1779 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036.
• Governance and Democratic Reform in Georgia. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 2:00 – 3:45 pm. 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036.  
• How to make the most of FOIA. National Press Club. 6:30 pm. 529 14th Street NW, 13th Floor, Zenger Room, Washington, DC 20045.

HAPPENING TOMORROW 3/15: 

• NPC luncheon with Thomas Drake, NSA whistleblower. National Press Club. 529 14th Street NW, 13th Floor, Ballroom, Washington, DC 20045.

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