Senate Judiciary Committee

In today’s Federal Newscast, the Justice Department won guilty pleas from the former director of procurement for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and the president and CEO of a government contracting firm for bribery.

The vote now heads to the full Senate, where Barr is expected to be confirmed in a vote as soon as next week. Barr, who previously served as attorney general from 1991 to 1993, would succeed Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is expected to leave his position soon after William Barr is confirmed as attorney general

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) blasted a recent opinion from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, which urges executive branches to respond only to inquires from congressional committee chairman. Some Cabinet-level secretaries have said they would not abide by the OLC policy.

New guidance from the Justice Department suggests agencies should begin updating their standard Freedom of Information Act response letters and notices to comply with the new FOIA Improvement Act. President Barack Obama signed the bill into law last month to mark FOIA’s 50th anniversary.

Three recent bills have been introduced in the House and Senate that address issues of administrative leave, Defense acquisition, and federal real property.

A recent decision from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel says inspectors general must get permission from their agencies before gaining access to certain documents like grand jury, wiretap and credit information. The inspector general community says it’s another attack against the independent oversight at the center of their responsibilities. The Senate Judiciary Committee largely agrees. Michael Horowitz is the inspector general at the Justice Department and director of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. He’s leading the charge against the OLC’s latest decision and tells In Depth with Francis Rose why it would make his job more difficult.

By ERICA WERNER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Loretta Lynch won approval from a key Senate committee Thursday to serve as the nation’s next attorney general, as divided Republicans clashed over her support for President…

A Senate committee has approved legislation to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act.