Statements and Quotes by Members on Open Government and Transparency
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT):
“Access to public information in a timely and effective manner is a vital piece of our democratic system of checks and balances that promotes accountability and imbues trust.”
“I have devoted a considerable portion of my work in the Senate to improving government oversight, government openness and citizen ‘right-to-know’ laws to make government work better for the American people, and at times it has been a lonely battle.” (Feb. 16, 2005)
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX):
“Open government is one of the most basic requirements of any healthy democracy. It allows for taxpayers to see where their money is going; it permits the honest exchange of information that ensures government accountability; and it upholds the ideal that government never rules without the consent of the governed.” (Feb. 16, 2005)
“The default position of our government must be one of openness. If records can be open, they should be open. If good reason exists to keep something closed, it is the government that should bear the burden – not the other way around.” (Jun. 24, 2005)
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK):
“The founding fathers believed in transparency for government spending because even back when budgets were much smaller the possibility of abuse was just as real – but, with transparency comes accountability.” (Jul. 18, 2006 [pdf])
“There are real problems in our government. Sunshine cures almost every one of them - sunshine in the agencies, sunshine in Congress and knowing that the American people, if they have the information, will help us solve the problems that we’re dealing with and will put policy ahead of politics foremost in our mind so that we address the real issues.” (Hearing on Nomination of Rob Portman, May 17, 2006)
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL):
“Whether you believe the government ought to spend more money or spend less, you should certainly be able to agree that the government ought to spend every penny efficiently and transparently. … Transparency is a prerequisite to oversight and financial control. Transparency is essential if we are to do something about the billions of taxpayer dollars being spent with no assurances that the funds are going where they are needed. We can’t reduce waste, fraud and abuse without knowing how, where, and why Federal money is flowing out the door.” (Jul. 18, 2006 [pdf])
Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME):
“A lot depends on your view of government in the first place. In America, openness is a virtue, and I think the more the public knows, the better off we will all be.” (July 8, 2006)
Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME):
“I think transparency in government is essential, but you have to go further than not only the contractors - you need to get to the subcontractors.” (July 8, 2006)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY):
“Openness, not secrecy, is simply the best way to make good decisions for the country’s future.” (Nov. 22, 2002)
Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT):
“There’s one thing that really helps government and that is transparency.” (Jan. 11, 2006)
Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC):
“In years past, we’ve had some spending items that have been embarrassing and some that just haven’t passed the smell test. At the end of the day, knowledge is power and we’re giving the American people knowledge about what we’re doing with their money.” (Feb. 9, 2006)
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-SD):
“The best government is an open government in which the American people are able to see what policy makers are doing and have the opportunity to participate in their decision making.” (Aug. 25, 2003)
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) on Sunshine in Iraqi Reconstruction Act:
“I think it is imperative, not only for the integrity of our procurement process, for the integrity of the congressional appropriation and oversight process, but for the integrity of the entire operation that has been undertaken in Iraq, to be transparent and open before the world.” (May 1, 2003)
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA):
“Open and accountable government is a bedrock principle of our democracy. Secrecy breeds arrogance and abuse of power; sunshine fosters scrutiny and responsible government.” (May 11, 2005 [pdf])
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA):
“Sometimes, more than one silent objector makes it virtually impossible to figure out who is stalling the people’s business and for what reasons. This lack of transparency and accountability denigrates open government. While I don’t object to the use of a hold as a means to an end, I do find objection with its secrecy. Keeping things in the open ought to build greater confidence in our system of representative government.” (CQ, April 3, 2006)
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA):
“We must do more to ensure that government is open to all the people, and that reporters and others who request information get timely responses. News organizations and ordinary citizens still face far too many bureaucratic backlogs and administrative hurdles to obtain information.” (July 26, 2006)
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX):
“Every American citizen should be able to quickly and easily obtain public information from the federal government. This promotes a responsive democracy, but unfortunately it isn’t always so easy. … As Thomas Jefferson noted, ‘Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.’ The foundation of a strong democracy is an informed public.” (Mar. 2, 2006)
Senate Candidate State Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT):
“The American public is sick and tired of politicians making back-room deals and secret agreements on issues that affect their daily lives. In Montana we have a constitutional right to know. It’s time we take this to the federal level so that American citizens and the press can shine a light on government.” (Mar. 14, 2006)
House candidate Tammy Duckworth (D-IL):
“We need to bring all this hidden spending out into the open, so the taxpayers who pay the freight know how their dollars are being spent – or wasted.” (July 25, 2006)
