Open the Government is an inclusive, nonpartisan coalition that works to strengthen our democracy and empower the public by advancing policies that create a more open, accountable, and responsive government.

Overly Politicizing Redacted Mueller Report Would Miss What’s Really at Stake

Statement of Lisa Rosenberg, Executive Director, Open the Government Note: On the Thursday release of the redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s final report on the Russia investigation by the Justice Department.  In the eagerness to read the redacted Mueller report, Congress, the media and the public must resist politicizing the report and instead focus
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Poll: After Barr Letter, Overwhelming Majority Wants Full Mueller Report Released

Days after Attorney General William Barr released his four-page summary of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation report, overwhelming majorities of Americans want the full report made public and believe Barr and Mueller should testify before Congress, according to a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll. Only about a third of Americans believe, from what they’ve seen
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Will William Barr Stand on the Right (or Wrong) Side of History?

U.S. Attorney General’s actions will soon reveal whether he will honor coast-to-coast demands to make the Mueller report public Note: Barr received Mueller’s report concluding a 22-month investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election yesterday. Following this development, demands for the report’s public release has heightened. If Barr reneges on his promise to make
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Sunshine and Shadows – Part 2

In Sunshine and Shadows – Part 1 we summarized some of Sunshine Week’s events, noting highs and lows in civil society efforts to advance openness in government. Now we’ll dive into some of the noteworthy happenings related to openness in Congress and the Executive Branch. Congress During Sunshine Week, the House Oversight and Reform Committee
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Jared Kushner is Poster Child for Presidential Records Act Reform

The White House and Congress cannot afford to continue to pay lip service to clear violations Statement of Lisa Rosenberg, Executive Director, Open the Government Note: Revelation of Kushner’s actions is the latest likely violation of the PRA by a senior White House official. Reports show Ivanka Trump continues to use personal email accounts for
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Sunshine and Shadows – Part 1

Sunshine Week, an annual celebration of the importance of open government and freedom of information, wrapped up earlier this month. Now is a good time to highlight some of the week’s events and note recent highs and lows in the effort to advance openness in government. (Following are OTG partner sponsored events and reports.  If
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Policy Analyst Opportunity

We are looking for an entrepreneurial, motivated Policy Analyst to uncover and coordinate opportunities to influence federal policies that advance openness for accountability. Open the Government, the only nonpartisan coalition dedicated to advancing openness for accountability, seeks to strengthen democracy and empower the public by advancing policies that create a more open and accountable government.
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OTG Launches Sunshine Week Report on Amazon, Government Security & Secrecy

OTG Launches Sunshine Week Report on Amazon, Government Security & Secrecy ‘Government Inc.’ report shows weak transparency requirements and accountability mechanisms for private companies even as they work on government contracts Washington, D.C. – Open the Government’s new report ‘Government Inc.: Amazon, Government Security & Secrecy’ is an in-depth study of government technology contractors, many household names such as
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New Amazon, Government Security & Secrecy Report Released at Freedom of Information Day Conference

Open the Government is releasing an in-depth case study, Government Inc.: Amazon, Government Security & Secrecy and hosting a panel discussion addressing  the primary concerns the public should have about federal and state governments relying on private contractors to provide advanced  technology to, support military operations, enforce immigration laws and aid in policing. The panel
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Politico/Morning Consult Poll: 68 percent want Mueller report made public

A majority of Americans want the report of special counsel Robert Mueller‘s investigation to be released, according to a poll released Wednesday.  According to a Politico/Morning Consult poll, 68 percent of voters surveyed support the release of Mueller’s findings, while 10 percent do not. The report’s release has broad support from both parties, with 79 percent of Democrats supporting the
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New poll: Almost 9 in 10 Americans want a public report on Mueller’s findings

Nearly nine in 10 Americans say Robert Mueller’s investigators should produce a full, public report on their findings, a sentiment that crosses party lines, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. 
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OTG Opposes Attempt by Trump’s Department of Interior to Obstruct Public Access to Information

Interior’s FOIA proposal would severely hinder access to information on incidents of corruption within the agency.   
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Special Counsel Transparency Bill Seeks to Protect Findings of Mueller’s Investigation

Attorney General Nominee William Barr’s comments on the investigation raise concerns over preservation and access to information on the Mueller probe. 
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Why William Barr must promise to make the Mueller report public

“Is the president of the United States a Russian asset?” It’s a question that could only have been the stuff of spy novels – at least, before this weekend’s explosive reports about President Trump’s interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 
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Keeping information about waste, fraud and abuse from the public is what is “insane”

In a meeting with his new acting defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan, the president called the practice of making watchdog reports about the U.S. military public “insane.”
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