Jon Kyl Continues to Make Enemies in WashingtonAdvocates of a bill promoting openness in government are fuming that Arizona senator Jon Kyl is blocking a vote. Kyl is also for prohibition when it comes to online poker while ensuring the legalization of horse betting online.
Dozens of journalism and advocacy groups supporting the Open Government Act argue it would speed up the government's response to public requests for information under the federal Freedom of Information law.
But Senator Jon Kyl says the Justice Department is concerned that it could force them to reveal sensitive information.
In a statement today, Kyl said the agency's opposition is ``uncharacteristically strong.''
He says the opposition is enough to think twice about the legislation, and he will block a vote until both sides can work out the differences.
Supporters of the bill are irate.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont calls it a good government bill. He's trying to get senators to clear the bill for a vote.
Advocates who range from the Society of Professional Journalists to the Humane Society of the United States are particularly rankled because Kyl initially objected under a Senate rule that allows one member with concerns to hold up legislation anonymously.
Supporters say the bill would plug loopholes in the FOIA law by, among other things, clarifying when federal agencies would have to pay attorneys fees if they miss deadlines to provide information, and bolstering deadlines for the government‘s response to requests under the law.
For example, a section has been eliminated that would have lifted exemptions letting the government deny access to privileged or law-enforcement sensitive information, said Leahy spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler.
Kyl in the past has raised eye brows by pushing to have a bill outlawing online gambling attached to an unrelated port security act. Additionally he ensured that the powerful horse racing lobbyists were appeased by adding a carve out niche to the measure that would allow betting on horses over the Internet - not to mention state lotteries.
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Gambling911.com News Wire
Originally published June 1, 2007 3:04 am ET
