Thomas M. Susman, a longtime FOI champion, recounts the development of the 1974 Freedom of Information Act amendments in a new article published in the Journal of Civic Information. 

The piece outlines the legislative process and key figures involved, including Sen. Edward Kennedy, Ralph Nader, and Antonin Scalia. Susman also notes several proposals that were ultimately excluded from the final legislation, such as a “release to one, release to all” provision and the creation of a FOIA ombudsman office. 

The 1974 amendments were passed following President Gerald Ford’s veto, which Congress overrode with a 371–31 vote in the House and a 65–27 vote in the Senate. 

The full article is available in the latest edition of the Journal of Civic Information. 

Posted: July 3, 2025
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner FOI Project, Brechner Freedom of Information Project, FOI, FOIA, Journal of Civic Information, public records