PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

A bill to ensure an open and deliberate process in Congress by providing that any future legislation to establish a new exemption to section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act) be stated explicitly within the text of the bill.

Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

Official summary

Version 82 · Passed Senate without amendment · Jun 24, 2005

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Prohibits applying the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to matters specifically exempted from disclosure by a statute (other than open meetings under the Government in the Sunshine Act) enacted after July 1, 2005, that specifically cites this Act and either: (1) requires that the matters be withheld from the public in such a manner as to leave no discretion on the issue; or (2) establishes particular criteria for withholding or refers to particular types of matters to be withheld.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] · R–TX

Committees

  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Judiciary Committee
5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

  2. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  3. Received in the House.

  4. Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7383-7385; text as passed Senate: CR S7385)

  5. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7383-7385; text as passed Senate: CR S7385)

  6. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 126.

  7. Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Specter without amendment. Without written report.

  8. Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Specter without amendment. Without written report.

  9. Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

  10. Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

  11. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6159-6161)

  12. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1181 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1181 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1181 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1181 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources