WASHINGTON - February 11 - Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) has suggested that because he has not been contacted by any federal agency, he is not under federal investigation.

Rep. Murtha's spokesperson, Matthew Mazonkey, emailed the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "We have not been contacted by any federal agency, and no one is suggesting that Jack Murtha has anything to do with this. Period."

WASHINGTON - February 11 - With today's introduction of legislation to rein in the overbroad use of the state secrets privilege, the executive branch may soon have one less tool in its chest to stymie legitimate cases against government misconduct. A bill introduced in the House will aim to narrow the scope of the privilege and could open the courthouse doors to people who have suffered real and legitimate harm by the government.

WASHINGTON - February 5 - Common Cause, one of the nation's largest citizen action organizations, is calling on Congress and the Obama Administration to join in making eight changes that will "utterly change the pay-to-play nature of how business gets done in Washington," said Arn Pearson, vice president for programs at Common Cause. "The country needs to have its faith restored in our campaigns and elected officials as we rely on them for big decisions that will affect our lives for years."

Common Cause released its agenda for change in a new document, ###

NEW YORK - January 28 - In a letter sent to the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) today, the American Civil Liberties Union requested the release of secret memos that provided the legal basis for many of the Bush administration's controversial national security policies. The Justice Department continues to withhold many legal opinions, including memos purporting to allow torture and warrantless surveillance. The ACLU has previously sought the memos through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

WASHINGTON - January 21 - After eight long years of secrecy, President Obama's actions today indicate that transparency in government was more than just a campaign promise. The Obama administration's approach to the Freedom of Information Act will allow government watchdogs and the public to obtain information about what the executive branch of government is doing and why. CREW also applauds the new ethics rules announced today. Melanie Sloan, CREW's executive director said, "The fact that Mr. Obama took these actions on his very first day in office signals a new era in government accountability." 

WASHINGTON - January 21 - In a move intended to improve government transparency and accountability, the Obama administration today released a presidential memorandum directing government agencies to comply swiftly and thoroughly with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

The following can be attributed Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office: