Those who care about American's right to know would do well to keep eyes peeled on recent congressional action. Proposals to amend the USA Patriot Act and spending bills are at the center of congressional debate over openness in government. In that debate, which pits the doctrine of reauthorization of federalism against the government's penchant for secrecy, the Senate added a provision to a $350 billion transportation bill (H.R. 3550) that would preempt state and local sunshine laws in order to mandate secrecy about public safety problems in aviation, rail and other transportation systems.

Government air quality modeling experts from around the country are opposing a new Bush administration policy, which they contend threatens air quality and public health. They are among a growing number of scientists and other critics, who charge the Bush administration with manipulating science to support predetermined political outcomes. Most significantly, this may be the first time such criticism has been leveled from scientists inside a federal agency.