WASHINGTON (AP) — There's a hearing this week on the Obama administration's practice of heavily censoring the release of politically sensitive government files requested under the Freedom of Information Act.
The congressional investigation into government transparency is among the earliest by Republicans since they won control of the House. It targets one of the first pledges President Barack Obama made after he moved into the White House.
Following the 2009 failed plane bombing in Detroit, The AP asked for emails sent among Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and six staff members. After a seven-month fight, political staff turned over emails that were heavily censored.
The same thing happened when immigration rights advocates asked for emails about the controversial ICE enforcement program.
Homeland Security's chief privacy officer has complained about the delays, calling them "meddling" and "crazy."
She's expected to testify Thursday.
