This one may sound a little wonky, but stick with me — it’s really important.

You’ve probably heard of the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA.

It’s the landmark 1967 law that has been instrumental in revealing information about corporate and government corruption, unsafe foods and medicines, FBI spying on American heroes like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and much, much more.

Public Citizen has its own history with the Freedom of Information Act.

• Back in 1974, we persuaded Congress to pass major improvements to the law and to override an attempted veto by President Gerald Ford.

• And throughout our 50+ years as one of this nation’s leading progressive organizations, we have used the law numerous times in our work to hold Big Business and Uncle Sam accountable.

Well, in 2019 — upending a 45-year precedent and (once again) siding with corporate interests — the Supreme Court opened a gaping hole in the Freedom of Information Act by expanding the kinds of information that corporations can insist be excluded from FOIA requests.

In essence, the Supreme Court made it easier for Corporate America to hide government documents about medical and food safety, pollution, wasting of taxpayer dollars, and more.

It’s up to Congress to close this loophole in the Freedom of Information Act.

Tell Congress:

The American people are counting on Congress to close the Freedom of Information Act loophole that the Supreme Court opened with its misguided Argus Leader ruling. We urge you to pass legislation that will restore the definition of “confidential” that had been in place for 45 years before the Supreme Court expanded it beyond all reason.

Click to add your name now.

Thanks for taking action.

For progress,

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen
 
 
Public Citizen | 1600 20th Street NW | Washington DC 20009 | Unsubscribe