Obama Administration Uses Privacy Act To Limit Congressional Oversight

The Washington Times reports today that the Obama Administration is accused of using a broad interpretation of federal privacy statutes to block Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley from pursuing investigations such as “‘Fast and Furious’ gun-running scandal to the questioning of judicial nominees,” the article states.

The article details how the Department of Justice invoked the Privacy Act to bar the Senator from meetings that were part of the “Fast and Furious” investigation and later to refuse to answer questions to DOJ appointees in nomination hearings.

Stephen M. Kohn, Executive Director of the National Whistleblower Center, is quoted in the article stating:

“Sen. Grassley has forged a reputation since the 1980s as being completely bipartisan on oversight — he’s held every single president accountable from Reagan to Obama. Going after Grassley [by way of the Privacy Act] is just demeaning to a guy who is known in the whistleblower community as their No. 1 advocate. It’s a real step back for oversight.”

Read the full article: Hill watchdog Grassley blocked by administration privacy claims