House Begins Session with New Process Rules

On Jan. 5, the House approved new rules covering civility, legislative process and fiscal responsibility, the second of two rules packages in as many days that the Democrats passed since taking over the chamber. The new rules should help restore some transparency, fiscal responsibility and fairness to the legislative process in the House and represent an important first step in restoring faith in the congressional process. But further reforms are still warranted.

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OIRA Back Door Open to Dudley?

Susan Dudley is likely to be named as a senior consultant in OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), according to a BNA story published Jan. 8. If true, Dudley would be in a position to influence OIRA decisions about regulations across all government agencies. Dudley was nominated by President Bush in 2006 to be the administrator of OIRA to replace John Graham, who resigned in February of that year. Thanks to widespread opposition from the public interest community, Capitol Hill, and individuals, the Senate failed to hold a vote on her nomination before the end of the 109th Congress because she lacked sufficient support in committee.

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EPA Library Closures on Hold

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has performed an about-face on its plan to close numerous libraries run by the agency. EPA has closed five regional libraries but has announced that the agency will not close any of its remaining 22 libraries until it can present its plan to Congress.

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House Imposes New Ethics Rules

On Jan. 4, even before debate began on the Democrats' promised first 100 hours agenda, the House, by a 430-1 vote, approved rules changes aimed at ending the "culture of corruption" of the past Congress. The changes address relations between lobbyists and members of the House and are meant to curb abuses revealed in last year's scandals involving convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and several members of the House. On the next day, the House approved additional rules changes.

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Chemical Security Program Leaves the Public Vulnerable

On Dec. 28, 2006, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule for the creation of a chemical facility security program. However, the program appears to provide little means for increasing security and shrouds important assessments in a veil of secrecy that will prevent any public accountability or oversight.

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EPA Finalizes Rules for Toxics Release Inventory

Just before the holidays, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delivered industry an early present — a final rule relaxing reporting requirements for the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), the country's flagship database on toxic pollution. The agency has moved forward with these changes despite findings in an OMB Watch report, Against the Public's Will (released Dec. 14, 2006), that the American public is overwhelmingly opposed to a reduction in reporting on toxics.

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Watcher: December 19, 2006

2006 Fiscal Policy Year in Review: Process Failures, Budgetary Gridlock

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2007 Presents Opportunities, Pitfalls for Advancement of Open, Responsible Government

With Democrats in control of Congress, 2007 will usher in an era of renewed government oversight. At the same time, the slim majority in Congress means it is unlikely that 2007 will be a time for passing legislation unless it is truly bipartisan. For advocates of fairness, honesty, and accountability in government, it is likely to be a busy and exciting year. However, for those who hope for increased spending on low-income programs and social justice initiatives, it may prove disappointing. Fiscal Policy

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2006 Roundup: Federal Developments Impacting Nonprofit Speech Rights

Although 2006 brought nonprofit organizations a somewhat hostile legal climate for grassroots advocacy, nonprofits provided leadership on issues in public policy debates and helped get voters to the polls and protect their rights. Nonprofits exposed government surveillance of groups that dissent and resisted efforts to silence debate or use federal grants as a wedge to control speech. To level the political playing field, nonprofits supported efforts to increase transparency in Congress.

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The 2006 Transparency Awards

For years, the Bush administration has been labeled by many as the most secretive administration to occupy the White House in decades. This penchant for secrecy has pushed the pendulum far from openness and transparency. And while the pendulum did not swing back significantly in 2006, the movement toward greater secrecy was finally challenged and slowed. The year still contained many proposals to reduce government accountability and openness.

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