FOIA
FOIA stands for the Freedom of Information Act, a federal law that lets people request records from federal executive-branch agencies. Agencies must disclose responsive records unless an exemption or other legal restriction applies. They may need to redact protected information and release the rest.
FOIA stands for the Freedom of Information Act, a federal law that lets people request records from federal executive-branch agencies. Agencies must disclose responsive records unless an exemption or other legal restriction applies. They may need to redact protected information and release the rest.
Example: A resident asks the Environmental Protection Agency for records about a proposed rule. The agency searches for responsive documents, releases non-exempt material, and explains any withholding under FOIA.
Common misconception: FOIA guarantees immediate access to every government record. Agencies may apply statutory exemptions, some records are excluded from FOIA, and processing time depends on the request and the agency.
Sources: https://www.foia.gov/about.html; https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section552&num=0&edition=prelim