This morning, the House Appropriations Committee's Legislative Branch Subcommittee marked up its FY 2014 funding bill, agreeing to a plan that would cut funding for Congress and legislative support agencies well below FY 2013 levels, and even beneath sequestration levels for most offices. Committee leadership claimed that cuts were necessary to "lead by example" and help get the government's "fiscal house in order," but, in reality, the cuts will likely limit accountability, access to information, and the ability of Congress and the legislative support agencies to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. The shrinking budgets could also make it more difficult for Congress to implement a number of important transparency initiatives. Specifically, the plan would continue several years of cuts to House operations and the Government Accountability Office that have diminished the capacity of both bodies.
Continue readingHouse Appropriators Embrace Webcasting…For a Week.
Late last month we applauded the House Appropriations Committee for appearing to improve on its dismal record of webcasting hearings. As... View Article
Continue readingAppropriations Committee Webcasts Spread Sunlight
At one point on Wednesday morning 163 people were watching a live webcast of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee’s budget... View Article
Continue readingRep. Honda Speaks on Bulk Access on the House Floor
This morning the House is debating passage of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill. Rep. Honda, the ranking member of the... View Article
Continue readingMajor Transparency Milestone in Bulk Access Statement
It may feel like an ordinary Wednesday, but today is a milestone for legislative transparency. The House’s leadership has issued... View Article
Continue readingMedia Spotlight on Congress Stalling Open Access to Legislation
The media's magnifying glass is concentrating attention on actions by the House Appropriations Committee that could stall progress on the public's access to legislative information.
Continue reading#FreeTHOMAS
Does information about legislation belong to Congress or to the American people? This basic question is at the heart of... View Article
Continue readingTHOMAS Talking Points
This Thursday at 11am, the House Appropriations Committee will mark-up the legislative branch appropriations bill and an accompanying committee report.... View Article
Continue readingAppropriators May Undercut Legislative Transparency
by Daniel Schuman and Eric Mill House Appropriators may deal a tremendous blow to prospects for improving public access to... View Article
Continue readingFull Committee Markup on Leg Approps Set for Thursday
The House Appropriations Committee just announced it will hold a full committee markup this Thursday (May 31) on the Legislative... View Article
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