White House memo has had 'chilling effect' on release of documents to public

Oversight chief: White House memo has had 'chilling effect' on release of documents to public http://t.co/km5FE6TApG pic.twitter.com/einxxUTC5w

— The Hill (@thehill) June 4, 2015

Launching a two-day hearing on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) blasted an email that directs federal agencies to consult with President Obama’s general counsel following any document request that could involve the White House.

“If you’ve got the yahoos at the White House having to review every document that falls under FOIA,” Chaffetz said. “This is the heart of the backlog.”

The memo, dated April 2009, applies to any documents that may have “White House equities.” Chaffetz suggested the memo is being used as an excuse to delay the release of documents.
“No, no, no, don’t fulfill the FOIA request,” Chaffetz said of the memo. “Send it here to the White House. We have equities! The White House equities!”

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said the memo has made federal employees fearful of crossing the White House.