ACLU pushing for government openness

WASHINGTON, March 14 (UPI) -- The American Civil Liberties Union said Monday it is pressing for more government transparency by strengthening the Freedom of Information Act.

At the request of Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the ACLU's Lisa Graves, senior counsel for legislative strategy at the organization's Washington Legislative Office, will testify Tuesday on behalf of the ACLU before a bipartisan panel, the group said.

The ACLU said Graves will be joined by allies from across the political spectrum speaking in favor of the bill.

The hearing comes during "Sunshine Week," a series of events designed to increase government openness.

Sens. Cornyn and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., introduced the "Openness Promotes Effectiveness in Our National Government Act" last month.

The bill will be the subject of a hearing chaired by the two senators before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security, the ACLU said.