Demanding FOIA identities and content would “blow a cold, chilling wind on citizens’ FOIA requests”

Demanding FOIA identities and content would “blow a cold, chilling wind on citizens’ FOIA requests”

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Tuesday called on the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to withdraw his request for government agencies to disclose sensitive data relating to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

In a letter to Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Welch said that requiring agencies to disclose the identities of those filing FOIA requests and the content thereof would have a chilling effect on accountability and transparency.

“Requiring federal agencies to provide FOIA requests and identities of every person, non-profit and corporation lawfully exercising their rights will hinder – not help – accountability and transparency,” Welch wrote. “It will impose unproductive burdens on agencies, incur unnecessary expense on taxpayers, and blow a cold, chilling wind on citizens’ FOIA requests.”

Welch wrote Issa in response to a letter the Chairman sent federal agency heads late last month, in which he asks for files containing the names of those who lodge FOIA requests, the date of their request and a description. In the case of FOIA requests that have been delayed for more than 45 days, Issa asks for all communications between the requester and the federal government.

Rather than enhancing the FOIA process, Welch said, Issa’s directive would overly burden federal agencies and the committee, while detracting from government transparency.

“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has two fundamental responsibilities: to ensure that the governmental agencies that serve the American people are both accountable and transparent,” Welch wrote. “Your recent letter to all governmental agencies demanding Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) information will further neither responsibility and undermine both.”

Welch’s letter follows-up on a letter sent last week by Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Welch.

In his letter, Welch wrote, “To paraphrase the Viper car alarm, Mr. Chairman, please step away from the lawful use of the Freedom of Information Act.”

Current USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Holds Final Meeting

Current USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Holds Final Meeting

AMS No. 012-11


Jimmie Turner (202) 720-8998
jimmie.turner@ams.usda.gov
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2011 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee will meet Feb. 28 to March 1 in Arlington, Va.


This is the final meeting of the committee. The current members were appointed in December 2009. The committee will convene 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 28, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 1 at the Hyatt Hotel Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway.


“We have valued the expertise of this Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee as we continue to support the fruit and vegetable industry,” said Rayne Pegg, administrator of USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service.


Topics of discussion at the advisory committee meeting will include the following: agricultural labor, food safety, local farmer/education initiatives, commodity purchasing programs, and working group reports.


Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. II), the Secretary of Agriculture established the Committee in August 2001 to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and to provide suggestions and ideas to the Secretary on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet the fruit and vegetable industry’s needs.


The meeting is open to the public, with seating available on a first-come basis. For details regarding how to submit comments or to arrange special accommodations, contact: Pamela Stanziani, designated federal officer for the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Fruit and Vegetable Programs, at (202) 690-0182 or email pamela.stanziani@ams.usda.gov.


Robert C. Keeney, deputy administrator of the Fruit and Vegetable Programs, serves as the committee’s executive secretary.


Additional information on this advisory committee is available on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/fv.


Details of the meeting were published in the Feb. 2, 2011, Federal Register.


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