In his first day at the office, President Barack Obama took steps to restore trust and promote responsibility within the government. Noting that "transparency and the rule of law" will be the touchstones of his presidency, Obama signed a pair of Executive Orders, freezing pay for some White House staffers and limiting the influence of lobbyists. He also strengthened the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, pledging that the government will be more open with the people."
"Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency," Obama said.
Obama's order to freeze the pay of White House senior staff making over $100,000 reflects the hardships faced by many Americans, the president said in a meeting with staffers.
"During this period of economic emergency, families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington," he said. "And that's why I'm instituting a pay freeze on the salaries of my senior White House staff."
The pay freeze, along with steps to limit contact between lobbyists and members of Obama's administration are important first steps, Obama said, designed to restore the public trust in government.
The orders are "aimed at establishing firm rules of the road for my administration and all who serve in it, and to help restore that faith in government, without which we cannot deliver the changes we were sent here to make -- from rebuilding our economy and ensuring that anyone who is willing to work and find a well-paying job, to protecting and defending the United States, and promoting peace and security," Obama said.
The executive order designed to cut down the influence of lobbyists by making them "subject to stricter limits than under any other administration in history."
Specifically, lobbyists working for Obama will not be allowed to work on matters they lobbied on for the previous two years. Upon leaving the Obama administration, they will not be allowed to lobby the issues they worked for during the remainder of Obama's presidency. In addition, the president instituted a ban on gifts by lobbyists to any member of his administration.
A strict interpretation of FOIA will enhance government disclosure, Obama said. The interpretation outlined in the Presidential Memorandum on the Freedom of Information Act instructs all members of Obama's administration to operate under principles of openness, transparency and of engaging citizens with their government, the White House said.
In addition, the Attorney General has been asked to issue new guidelines for implementation of the increased openness with the FOIA.
"For a long time now, there's been too much secrecy in this city," Obama said. "That era is now over."
Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, praised Obama's new FOIA policy in a statement.
"From the start of his transition to the White House, President Obama has made a clear commitment to open government," the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee said. "By issuing this order to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act, and ensure the American people have a more transparent government, he is turning the page and moving away from the secrecy of the last administration."
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com