Making Government Transparent and Accountable
The Sunlight Foundation uses cutting-edge technology and ideas to make government transparent and accountable. Underlying all of our efforts is a fundamental belief that increased transparency will improve the public's confidence in government
The Sunlight Foundation Blog
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Cokie Roberts Reviews ‘Read The Bill’
NPR Senior News Analyst and ABC political commentator Cokie Roberts reviewed the political landscape facing advocates of reasonable public access to federal legislation. Roberts spoke favorably of the “yeoman’s work” being done by the Sunlight Foundation in the push for reform.
Roberts also addressed why the current Democratic leadership opposes the bill: “Yes, sunlight is, by and large, a good thing. But it does make it harder to get things done.”
For those long out of power, any delay against their long sought after policy objectives might seem like an intolerable pause. However, no party remains in power forever and eventually the tides turn. As our own Paul Blumenthal has shown, the party in power always dispenses with timely public access to legislation.
What in one season greases the skids of your reform can also expedite the rollback of those same reforms in another year.
By requiring the process of legislation building and compromise become more transparent lawmakers will ensure better policy outcomes for everyone.
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NPR Launches Dollar Politics
NPR launched a new series, Dollar Politics, today to look at the influence of money in the debate over three legislative items: financial regulation, energy policy, and health care. Today’s report focuses on health care, looking at the role of lobbyists in the effort to pass, or not, a health care reform bill.
Of particular interest in the piece is the packing of committee hearings by these lobbyists. One lobbyist is quoted explaining why lobbyists show up to the hearings, “[They] have friendships with various members of Congress or staff and hope to be seen. It’s a reminder that their interests are at play.” They may hope to be seen by senators and congressmen, but not in the way NPR had in mind. Dollar Politics turned the camera around on the lobbyists and put their pictures on line. NPR is seeking help in identifying potential lobbyists and you can see the pictures and send them information here.
This is a very important project and I hope to be following it (or waking up to these stories, as I did today) as they track influence around these important issues. Listen to the full report below:
NPR Dollar Politics – Health Care
