EPA rule lets political officials block FOIA document requests
(WorldNews Environment)

A new EPA rule would allow political appointees to review and withhold documents requested by the public under the Freedom of Information Act.  The final rule, published Wednesday in the Federal Register, was signed by EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on June 14 and takes effect July 25. It was not preceded by a public comment period. It comes one week after a similar policy was reported by CQ Roll Call  at the Department of the Interior. The practice drew criticism from lawmakers and advocates of public access to records. Wheeler and political appointees will be able to “issue final determinations whether to release or withhold a record or a portion of a record on the...