Senator unmasked

Legislative holds add to government secrecy

Publication: The Lexington Herald-Leader

Editorial
June 5, 2007

Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl has been outed.

The Society of Professional Journalists identified him as the anonymous senator who put a hold on Senate 849, the Open Government Act of 2007. The legislation, already approved by the House, would strengthen open-records laws and reduce delays in receiving public information.

Unfortunately, the public still doesn't know who is stalling a vote on Senate 223, the Senate Campaign Disparity Act, which requires that routine Senate campaign documents to be filed electronically -- the same expected of presidential and House candidates.

The Sunlight Foundation, a group that promotes transparency in government, has posted a sign on Interstate 65 imploring Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to identify the anonymous senator. "What's McConnell Hiding?" the sign says.

McConnell has said the hold will remain until the bipartisan sponsors of S. 233 agree to a floor debate, which would open the bill up to "poison-pill" amendments to weaken campaign finance laws. McConnell is especially interested in one that allows more campaign coordination between political parties and candidates.

On the freedom of information legislation, Kyl's spokesman acknowledged on Thursday that the senator has blocked the vote to give himself more time for private discussions about the bill.

But the Republican senator also has an amendment ready that would criminalize the leaking and the publishing of classified information -- a move to frighten whistle-blowers.

"So, Senator Kyl is 'Senator Secrecy' in more ways than one," an SPJ official said.

This would be comical if it wasn't so serious.

These are games elected officials are playing with information that citizens need to evaluate government operations, candidates and officeholders.

If there are problems with any legislation, a lawmaker should be willing to make a public case rather than engage in shadowy maneuvers.

The fact that such subterfuge surrounds bills aimed at ensuring more open and honest government undermines any confidence in the government we have now.