House of Representatives overturns Bush order on papers secrecy

[babylonsister]

House overturns Bush order on papers secrecy
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2009-01-07 22:45.

By Peter Szekely, Reuters


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Brushing aside a veto threat, the House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to overturn a 2001 order by President George W. Bush that lets former presidents keep their papers secret indefinitely.

The measure, which drew bipartisan support and passed by a veto-busting 333-93 margin, was among White House-opposed bills the House passed that would widen access to government information and protect government whistleblowers.

"Today, Congress took an important step toward restoring openness and transparency in government," House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman said.


The presidential papers bill nullifies a November 2001 order, criticized by historians, in which Bush allowed the White House or a former president to block release of a former president's papers and put the onus on researchers to show a "specific need" for many types of records.

Among beneficiaries of the Bush order was Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, a former vice president and president.

more...

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/38756

[Ichingcarpenter]

1. This is big news

I see a court battle coming.

[babylonsister]

2. I loved this: "brushing aside a veto threat"

I think idiot son would lose; history won't serve him well on this.

[Ichingcarpenter]

8. I see it going to court even with a veto over ride by Congress

But If they time the legislation correctly, Obama will sign it.



There is too much crap that can convict him
which is why they did the secrecy in the first place.

[pscot]

11. Where's the court case?

Congress right to override a presidential veto is a constitutional writ. The courts have no say in this one.

[Ichingcarpenter]

16. This effects his father's criminality too

you can bet there will be a court case.

[PRETZEL]

30. The court case should have happened long ago

when the first FOIA request was denied based upon this EO. No one challenged it as far as I know.

[annabanana]

19. ..too bad it's just the House.. I'd much rather see this determination

in the Senate.

[babylonsister]

23. Takes two to tango. Their time will come. nt

[Winterblues]

33. Why do you see a court battle?

There was an Act of Congress that created the Presidential Papers Act in the first place. It was LAW. Bush* used an Executive decision to get around/ignore the LAW. Bush*/Cheney did not want any Papers from either Reagan's Administration or Bush 1 to ever see the public while they were in office. The Bush* Cabal involved all the same players that were in both previous Republican Administrations and we can be fairly certain they were all involved in illegal activities back then as well as currently.. If Bush* could get away with ignoring established LAW by just signing a piece of paper then so can any future Republican President. This new "Act" by congress has just as much bearing as the first "Act of Congress".

[Mike 03]

3. This is good news. Keep up the good fight.

The arduous task before us is to turn all of this hell and corruption around. It won't be easy, but news like this gives me hope.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Yes, it is big news. I wonder why the Republicans are suddenly getting the nerve

to oppose Bush. Surely some to them are going to end up with miscellaneous dangling body parts in the wringer too. They were, after all, complicit in much of what Busco did.

[babylonsister]

10. Because they're now blaming Bush for all their woes...

Republicans seeking to lead party blame Bush for woes
By James Rosen | McClatchy Newspapers



WASHINGTON — Republicans vying to lead their national party praised President-elect Barack Obama's election campaign on Monday and criticized President George W. Bush for spending too much, mismanaging the Iraq war and bungling the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina.

With two African-Americans among six men seeking to head the Republican National Committee, all candidates said in a televised debate that their party must do more to attract blacks, Hispanics, young people and other key demographic groups.

"The key to this whole thing is to get out of your comfort zone," said former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, one of the black candidates. "We are just so comfortable talking among ourselves."

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/politics/story/59010.html

[aquart]

14. LOL!

Tell them you'll believe it when Karl, Dick, and George are in jail.

[blm]

18. Yeah well they weren't too helpful when a few Dems demanding accountability for Bush, were they?

If they had been helpful in exposing Bush1 instead of covering up for every damn crime he committed, then they would be a healthier, patriotic party today instead of the used up crime scene that Bush2 left behind.

[rateyes]

25. Because they want access to Clinton's records, and they don't

want Obama to able to keep his stuff secret, either. Personally, I hope it passes the Senate, gets vetoed, and then the veto overridden.

It's our government, not theirs. Nothing should be kept secret from us in that regard. Nothing.

[malaise]

5. This is what a majority means

Go Dems.

[rrneck]

6. It's about damn time.

We need a little sunlight on those fuckers.

[Seldona]

7. Wonderful news.

Brushing aside a veto threat indeed. lol

[pleah]

9. K&R For some good news.

Who were the 93 assholes that voted against this bill?

[barbtries]

13. good question

probably the 93 with the most to hide

[barbtries]

12. hopefully

we'll have years and years of incriminating reading ahead of us. and hopefully the bastards will pay.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

15. Keep doing more of this Henry.

There is plenty to reverse. Have at it.

Burn 'em all down.

Sis! :hug: :loveya:

[blm]

17. This is the most important news of the day - this nation may have its chance to be what it

set out to be - a nation whose government is open and accountable to the PEOPLE.

[williesgirl]

20. I'd like to see who the 93 were! rec'd

[Trillo]

21. Seems good. kick & rec. n/t

[DavidDvorkin]

22. But then there's the Senate

Which may not pass the bill and surely wouldn't be able to override a veto.

[blm]

28. Any senator against this bill will prove their allegiance is NOT to citizenry or the constitution.

.

[Timbuk3]

24. K&R, but the vote tally is wrong

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/7/20335/20044/1018/681399">I found out the hard way that the article afterdowningstreet used was from 2007.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iNDeKzi7txDp9obp9_QW7q-0YTzAD95IIJI80">Here's a link to an article that was 5 hours old when I found it. This vote DID happen today, but the vote tally is:

Drumroll, please

A former president would have the right to assert privilege over records, but the sitting president or a court would have to agree before the documents could be withheld from the public.

The vote on the documents bill, H.R. 35, was 359-58.

BTW, all 58 nay votes were cast by Republicans.

[KakistocracyHater]

26. about time, they've got to pull those thing out

into the sunlight & get a good look at them. Georgie boy's govvy pps also need to be dragged out of daddy's pres. lib. too, pronto. De-immunize those who miloseviced 1996 w@r c!me$ @c/. Yeah, sometimes I feel watched:7

[babylonsister]

27. Kick with enthusiasm. nt

[PRETZEL]

29. I'm kind of going on memory so if I'm wrong, please let me know

but I seem to recall that the Executive Order that Bush signed that effectively shut that down was in and of itself illegal (but, never challenged) because (here's where I may be wrong) a President cannot sign an Executive Order that voids an existing law?

As I remember, there is a law on the books that Presidential records are unsealed after 12 years after that President has left office. Given the time frame, that immediately put Reagan's administration up for scrutiny and his old man's very shortly thereafter.

[tom_paine]

31. Well, that is good news!

I certainly hope it amounts to something within the next four years...

[Hekate]

32. The Waxman Cometh! Thank you Henry Waxman. It's a good start. nt

[spanone]

34. k&r

[Marnieworld]

35. This is so freakin' great!

I remember when he signed that order and it made me so pissed and sad. Shine a light on everything! Yes!