Waxman Questions "Sensitive But Unclassified"

Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) is questioning the federal government's plethora of "sensitive but unclassified" information categories in a letter sent today to Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Nation Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations in the House Government Reform Committee.  Waxman argues that these categories are being "improperly" used to "cover up potentially embarrassing facts, rather than to protect legitimate security interests."

A few examples listed in the twelve page letter related to POGO's work:

• "The Department of Homeland Security concealed the unclassified identity and contact information of a newly appointed TSA ombudsman whose responsibility it was to interact daily with the public regarding airport security measures;"
• "The Nuclear Regulatory Commission sought to prevent a nongovernmental watchdog group [POGO] from making public criticisms of its nuclear power plant security efforts based on unclassified sources."

POGO commends the work of both Waxman and Shays on this issue of great public importance.  Both are vocal critics of unnecessary government secrecy.  By the way, Shays will be holding a hearing, on Wednesday, March 2, about "Overclassification and Pseudo-classification."