Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): Background and Policy Options for the 112th Congress

One of 209 reports in the series: 112th Congress available on this site.

Description

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA; 5 U.S.C. §552) enables any person to access—without explanation or justification—certain existing, identifiable, unpublished, executive branch agency records. Pursuant to FOIA, the public has presumptive access to requested agency records unless the material falls within any of FOIA's nine categories of exemption from disclosure. This report discusses FOIA's history, examines its implementation, and provides potential policy approaches for Congress.

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27 pages.

Creation Information

Ginsberg, Wendy July 26, 2011.

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This report is part of the collection entitled: Congressional Research Service Reports and was provided by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department to the UNT Digital Library, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries. It has been viewed 123 times. More information about this report can be viewed below.

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Titles

  • Main Title: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): Background and Policy Options for the 112th Congress
  • Series Title: 112th Congress

Description

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA; 5 U.S.C. §552) enables any person to access—without explanation or justification—certain existing, identifiable, unpublished, executive branch agency records. Pursuant to FOIA, the public has presumptive access to requested agency records unless the material falls within any of FOIA's nine categories of exemption from disclosure. This report discusses FOIA's history, examines its implementation, and provides potential policy approaches for Congress.

Physical Description

27 pages.

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Congressional Research Service Reports

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is the public policy research arm of Congress. This legislative branch agency works exclusively for Members of Congress, their committees and their staff. This collection includes CRS reports from the mid-1960's through 2018—covering a variety of topics from agriculture to foreign policy to welfare.

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  • July 26, 2011

Added to The UNT Digital Library

  • Aug. 7, 2012, 1:52 p.m.

Description Last Updated

  • Feb. 8, 2017, 6:50 p.m.

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Ginsberg, Wendy. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): Background and Policy Options for the 112th Congress, report, July 26, 2011; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc96711/: accessed March 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.

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