New Bills Aim to Protect Federal Employee Whistleblowers
The sponsors behind a pair of recently introduced bills say that they would help protect federal employees from whistleblower retaliation.
FOIA
Should Federal Employees’ Bonuses and Pensions be Provided to the Public?
One Congressman wants to make federal employees’ bonuses and pensions publicly available.
Good Faith or Bad?
A federal judge questions whether the Departments of State and Justice acted in bad faith in handling records requests for Hillary Clinton’s emails as Secretary of State.
Appeals Court Slaps Down Secret Service For Playing Games in Responding to FOIA Responses
The appeals court has said “enough” with the tactics followed by Secret Service in failing to follow FOIA requirements.
Lawmakers Want to Know Why OPM is Suddenly Withholding Federal Employee Salary Data
OPM has increasingly been blocking the release of substantial amounts of federal employee salary data. Some lawmakers want to know why.
Legislation Would Make Retired Federal Employee Pensions Public Information
Legislation introduced in the House would make retired federal employees’ pensions public information.
EPA Investigating Employee Covert Activity
The EPA has law enforcement files open on use of messaging software reportedly used by federal employees to avoid detection.
House Committee Wants to Know if Federal Employees Are Skirting FOIA Laws
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform sent a letter to numerous agencies seeking information on employees who are using methods of communication outside of normal government channels.
D.C. Circuit Disagrees with DOJ Handling of FOIA Request
Here is yet another case in which a court has taken issue with an agency’s withholding of information in response to a FOIA request. This time it’s the Department of Justice—the agency responsible for “overseeing” how the government is handling its disclosure obligations.
She Fought the Law and She Won
A PhD candidate at University of Virginia fought back when the Defense Department ruled she did not qualify for the education reduced fee exemption under the FOIA and therefore would have to pay the full $900 due in fees for the agency’s efforts. She won at the influential U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. She not only gets the reduced fee, her case sets a precedent that should affect how all agencies handle FOIA requests from students in the future.
