This is the first in a series of blog posts recapping the day in transparency. On workdays I’ll be providing a roundup of news items related to government transparency. I’ll also be identifying transparency-related transparency-related committee hearings for the week and relevant bills introduced in Congress the previous day.

If you have any additional ideas or suggestions, please send them to act(at)sunlightfoundation.com.

1. News Roundup:

• The Hill unveiled a new database compiling the ratings that 31 advocacy groups give each member of Congress. (The Hill)
• In a letter, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) urged the Federal Trade Commission to establish guidelines on how social networking sites can disseminate personal user information to third parties. Schumer also wants social networking sites to make it easier for users to opt out of information sharing policies. (WABC)
• Politico profiles the top five bundlers. (Politico)

• Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) says the House GOP earmark ban is only “symbolic” and that “earmarks are such a nominal piece of the whole process that they almost don’t count.” (Politico)

• National Journal ($) has a preview of the Citizens United bill and looks at the unexpected opposition to it. A sticking point in the proposed bill is the sweeping disclosure and coordination requirements for not only corporations, but also labor unions, nonprofits, and other politically active groups. Disputes surround two measures:
  • Impose new disclosure requirements on politically active groups.
  • Tighten up rules aimed at blocking coordination between those making independent political expenditures and candidates.

• Politico has a summary meant for congressional Democrats of the Citizens United bill, aka the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act – or DISCLOSE ACT. (Politico)
• For more on the Sunlight Foundation’s take on Citizen’s United, read about our amicus brief here and our suggested policy responses here. Also check here for more congressional responses to Citizens United.

2. Committees Scheduled for the week of 4/26 – 4/30:

Senate:

• Oversight hearing to examine contract management at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight, April 28, 2:30 p.m., SD-342.
• Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2011 for the Department of Justice, Appropriations: Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, April 29, 10 a.m., SD-192.
• Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2011 for the Library of Congress and the Open World Leadership Center, Appropriations: Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, April 29, 2:30 p.m., SD-138.
• Business meeting to consider S. 657, to provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings, S. 446, to permit the televising of Supreme Court proceedings, S. Res. 339, to express the sense of the Senate in support of permitting the televising of Supreme Court proceedings, Judiciary: Full Committee, April 29, 10 a.m., Dirksen-226

House:

• Hearing on Oversight of the Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, Chief Administrative Officer and Inspector General of the House of Representatives, House Administration, April 28, 11 a.m., 1310 Longworth.
• Hearing on Whistleblower and Victims’ Rights Provision of H.R. 2067, Education and Labor: Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, April 28, 10 a.m., 2175 Rayburn.

3. Bills introduced 4/22:

Senate:

• S. 3244. A bill to provide that Members of Congress shall not receive a cost of living adjustment in pay during fiscal year 2011; considered and passed.

House:

• H.R. 5108. A bill to require certain Internet websites that contain personal information of individuals to remove such information at the request of such individuals; to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• H.R. 5127. A bill to amend title 31, United States Code, to establish a reporting requirement for any stored value device carried out of, into, or through the United States, to establish registration requirements for stored value programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Financial Services.
• H. Res. 1289. A resolution expressing the sense of the House that Democratic Members of the House should join Republican Members of the House in a total ban on earmarks for one year, that total discretionary spending should be reduced by the amount saved by earmark moratoriums, and that a bipartisan, bicameral committee should be created to review and overhaul the budgetary, spending, and earmark processes; to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.