"I just don't see how we can expect to do the people's business without letting the people see how we're doing it," said Wyden. "Senator Grassley and I both value the traditions of the Senate, but secret holds are an anachronism that can no longer be defended. It is time to cast some sunshine on Senators' attempts to delay and derail legislation."
"This amendment would let the sun shine in by requiring a statement regarding one's opposition to a particular initiative if a hold is placed," Grassley said. "It would not prohibit any senator from objecting by using the hold practice. It will simply open up the process. And to the extent that greater openness can help reduce public cynicism about the process of representative government, this change would be very positive."
Under current practice, individual Senators are able to block consideration of any measure without public disclosure simply by notifying Senate leaders of their intentions. Such a hold blocks the measure in question from being brought to the Senate floor for debate or a vote.
In the 104th Congress during 1995-96, for example, a bill to expand health care coverage for millions of people by forbidding insurance company practices like denying coverage for pre-existing conditions (the Kassebaum/Kennedy bill), was held up for close to a year by secret holds despite broad support in both the Congress and the public at large.
The Wyden-Grassley amendment would require Senators to publicly disclose all holds, either on the floor of the Senate or by publishing their objection in The Congressional Record within 48 hours of placing them.
Wyden and Grassley filed their proposal as an amendment to the D.C. Appropriations bill last night, and intend to offer it during floor consideration of the funding measure, which begins today.