AAP on the Hill / Issues: First Amendment

May 01, 2003

New Bill Would Revoke Bush Executive Order on Presidential Records

A bi-partisan bill, H.R. 1493, which would revoke the Bush executive order that allows a former or sitting president—and in some cases the family of a dead president—to block the release of presidential records and tapes by invoking “constitutionally-based privileges,” was introduced by Rep. Doug Ose (R-CA) in the House on March 27 and referred to the Government Reform Committee.  Co-sponsors include Henry Waxman (D-CA), Dan Burton (R-IN), Bill Clay (D-MO), Steven LaTourette (R-OH), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Ron Paul (R-TX), and Diane Watson (D-CA). 
 
The straightforward, simple language of the bill declares Executive Order 13233 to have “no force or effect,” and reinstates the 1989 executive order governing the release of presidential papers. “This bill restores the intent of the Presidential Records Act, which allowed Americans to be fully informed about how our government operated in the past, ” Rep. Ose said.  Ose is the Chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs.

For more information contact:

Judith Platt
Email: jplatt@publishers.org