Privacy Act: Varied Response
In his veto message, President Ford claimed that the Privacy Act didn't give enough rights to government agencies.
Yet, Congress believed the rights the Act gave citizens were necessary and overruled Ford's veto.
Yet, Congress believed the rights the Act gave citizens were necessary and overruled Ford's veto.
The Opposition:
President Ford's Veto Message to the Privacy Act Amendments
November 18, 1974
President Ford's Veto Message to the Privacy Act Amendments
November 18, 1974
"...the ten days afforded an agency to determine whether to furnish a requested document and the twenty days afforded for determinations on appeal are...simply unrealistic in some cases. It is essential that additional latitude be provided." "...I believe that confidentiality would not be maintained if many millions of pages of FBI and other investigatory law enforcement files would be subject to compulsory disclosure at the behest of any person unless the Government could prove to a court...that disclosure 'would' cause...harm..." "...Courts should not be forced to make what amounts to initial classification decision in sensitive and complex areas where they have no particular expertise." |
In Support:
House Action and Vote on Presidential Veto of Privacy Act Amendments
November 20, 1974
House Action and Vote on Presidential Veto of Privacy Act Amendments
November 20, 1974
House Action and Vote on Presidential Veto of Privacy Act Amendments | |
File Size: | 4603 kb |
File Type: |
"...I think that the time allowed for agencies to respond to citizen's requests for information...is reasonable." "I believe that this bill does protect those lawful sensitive areas of Government..." |
"...I can only speculate on what bureaucratic advice President Ford...relied upon to exercise his veto power over this needed legislation. It is clear from the wording of certain portions of his veto message...that there is little understanding of either the clear meaning of the language of these parts of the bill or the intent as spelled out in detail in the conference report..." |
Support for the Privacy Act In the News
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