When President Gerald Ford took office on August 9, 1974 in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal and President Richard Nixon’s resignation, there was great public cynicism toward government, but also great public desire for access to government information.  Despite public sentiment, on October 17 President Ford vetoed H.R. 12471, the bill that would significantly strengthen the Freedom Of Information Act, calling it “unconstitutional and unworkable”.  In a dramatic rebuke, the House, on November 20, and the Senate, on November 21, overrode the President’s veto.  The amended FOIA now incorporated judicial review of agency decisions, narrowing of some exemptions, restrictions on fees agencies could charge, and a new 10-day time limit for agencies to comply with a request.  The public’s use of the FOIA increased dramatically.  Below are documents reflecting the political and legislative struggle over the 1974 amendments to the FOIA.

Excerpt from the Congressional Record of October 17, 1974, “Freedom of Information Act”, Remarks by Sen. Edmund Muskie (Expresses concern over the possible veto of the FOIA amendments)

Excerpt from the Congressional Record of November 18, 1974, “Freedom of Information Act-Veto Message from the President of the United States (H. Doc. No. 93-383)”, (President Ford's October 17, 1974 veto message and remarks by Rep. William Moorhead)

Excerpt from Extensions of Remarks of November 18, 1974, “President’s Veto of H.R. 12471, Freedom of Information Act Amendments”, (Remarks of Rep. William Moorhead)

Excerpt from Congressional Record of November 19, 1974, “Veto Reveals Watergate Blind Spot” and “Analysis of  the President’s Justification of His Veto of the Freedom of Information Act Amendments (Remarks of Sen. Alan Cranston and Sen. Lawton Chiles)

Excerpt from the Congressional Record of November 19, 1974, “The President’s Veto of the Freedom of Information Act Amendments”, (Remarks of Sen. Edmund Muskie concerning Constitutional and national security impact of amendments)

Excerpt from Extensions of Remarks of November 20, 1974, “The Veto of the Freedom of Information Act Amendments”, (Remarks of Rep. Edward Roybal in support of veto override)

Excerpt from Congressional Record of November 20, 1974, “Freedom of Information Act Amendments—Veto Message from the President of the United States”, (Rep. William Moorhead initiates House debate on veto override)

Excerpt from Congressional Record of November 21, 1974, “Freedom of Information Act—Veto”, (Remarks by Sen. Edward Kennedy, Sen. Edmund Muskie and others, and vote of Senate to override President Ford’s veto)