Openness loses out to secrecy

[ck4829]

"In an unusual twist, legislation that would open the murky world of government contracting to public scrutiny has been derailed by a secret parliamentary maneuver.

An unidentified senator placed a “secret hold” on legislation introduced by Sen. Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican, and Sen. Barack Obama, an Illinois Democrat, that would create a searchable database of government contracts, grants, insurance, loans and financial assistance. Those items were worth $2.5 trillion last year.

The database would bring transparency to federal spending and be as simple to use as conducting a Google search.

The measure was unanimously passed in a voice vote last month by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and had support from heavy hitters of both parties.

It was on the fast track for floor action before Congress recessed Aug. 4 when someone put a hold on the measure.

Under Senate rules, unless the senator who placed the hold lifts it, the bill will not be brought up for a vote."

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/news/politics/15344310.htm

Don't let this slip down the memory hole! Why are they taking away OUR privacy, but increasingly making THEIR veil of secrecy stronger?

[Jed Dilligan]

1. Someone apparently hears his platinum-paved chocolate-covered world

of non-competitive government contracts crashing down around his ears

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. I say we swiftboat Lieberman and identify him as the mysterious senator.

Someone will eventually come out or Lieberman loses the election. Either way we win.

[Jed Dilligan]

3. But first,

we have to make the public take notice of this at all.

Note that thread is rapidly sinking even on DU.

[Armstead]

4. Can a senator place an anonymous hold like this?

K &R