FOIA-Free Agency

The Senate is considering fast-moving legislation to create a new Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency. Here's what would make the new entity unique: It would be the first federal agency in history to be fully exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. “Information that relates to the activities, working groups, and advisory boards of the BARDA shall not be subject to disclosure under [FOIA], unless the Secretary or Director determines that such disclosure would pose no threat to national security,” the bill states. We journalists don't like that prospect. Not one bit.