[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RESTORE THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

  (Mr. TURNER of Ohio asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, 1 week ago today, I introduced H.R. 
4232 with my colleague from Ohio, Congressman Tim Ryan.
  The Restore the Freedom of Information Act is a commonsense, 
bipartisan bill that would make it easier for American taxpayers 
seeking information from the Federal Government's multibillion-dollar 
bailout programs.
  When the executive branch ceases to function as an arm of the 
government and begins taking ownership of private enterprise, they 
should not be able to hide behind the Freedom of Information Act 
restrictions and keep secret their dealings and the use of taxpayers' 
dollars.
  In the auto bailout, the administration actively took away the 
pensions of Delphi's salaried retirees and now refuses to release 
documents to tell the taxpayers how this happened.
  Mr. Speaker, whether it's the auto industry, the financial sector, or 
even a future bailout, taxpayers deserve access to this information, 
and H.R. 4232 will do just that. The Restore the Freedom of Information 
Act will ensure that the administration can not continue to hide its 
decisions from public scrutiny and deny American taxpayers the access 
they deserve.

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