Open Government Legislation
Last Updated: August 27, 2007
Freedom of Information
To learn about the Freedom of Information Act visit the National Security Archive.
Presidential Records Act of 1978
The PRA was crafted by Congress to create a careful balance between a president's ability to withhold certain records for a limited period of time and the right of the public to have access to them. As amended by Executive Order 12,667 issued by President Reagan in 1989, the Act provides for a period of 12 years during which presidential records under the custody of the US Archivist - including confidential communications between a former president and his advisors - could be withheld from public access.
At the end of the 12-year period, FOIA requests could be made to the Archivist for access to view these records.The PRA provides for an exception to this presumption of openness only if providing access would violate a constitutionally based executive privilege of the former or incumbent president, in which case public access could be denied.
To learn more, visit the National Archives website.
Whistleblower Legislation
Follow these links to learn more about Whistleblower protections: National Whistleblower Center and http://whistleblowerlaws.com/protection.htm.
|
