Blog Posts and Analysis / Open, Accountable Government

Congressional Report on Data Quality Act Supports OMB Watch Findings

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) recently updated a report on the Data Quality Act (DQA) entitled The Information Quality Act: OMB's Guidance and Initial Implementation." The report summarizes the history of the DQA from its passage as an appropriations rider, through development of information quality guidelines, to the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) annual report to Congress. Several of the report's conclusions coincide with observations and recommendations made by OMB Watch in an analysis of OMB's annual DQA report to Congress.

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Court Strikes Down Part of the Patriot Act

Federal District Judge Victor Marrero ruled Sept. 29 that surveillance powers under the USA PATRIOT Act were unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for civil liberties groups.

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Kyl Proposes Expanding the Patriot Act

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) introduced an amendment to the Senate intelligence reform bill that would heighten government secrecy and threaten civil liberties. The amendment seeks to build upon the secret surveillance powers granted to the government under the Patriot Act. Kyl Amendment

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Wyden Targets Over-Classification

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) has successfully attached an amendment aimed at curbing excessive government secrecy to the Senate's intelligence reform legislation. Wyden proposes creating an independent review to provide periodic oversight to the system and limit excessive classification of documents.

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Senate Declines to Act on Corzine's Chemical Security Amendment

In an effort to break the congressional logjam on chemical security, Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) has offered a piece of compromise legislation as an amendment to the intelligence reform bill. Unfortunately, the amendment was ruled non-germane to the bill and rejected from consideration.

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USAID Withholds Whistleblower Information, Legislation Moves Forward

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is accused of firing a whistleblower and withholding from Congress his information on environmental noncompliance in multi-national development bank projects.

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Nuclear Commission Avoids Accountability in Secret Rule Change

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission illegally issued new orders, without opportunity for public participation, that secretly change terrorism preparedness requirements for nuclear facilities, according to a challenge filed by two citizen groups and recently argued in a federal appeals court.

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