Q&A: What historical circumstances led to the creation of the Freedom of Information Act of 1966?

by jpo

Question by Milaud B: What historical circumstances led to the creation of the Freedom of Information Act of 1966?

I know LBJ was the guy who pushed for it. But what made him come up with legislation? What historical action caused it to happen?




Best answer:

Answer by caldude1010101
I don't know why Johnson proposed it originally, but the FOIA wasn't signed into law by Johnson. President Gerald Ford did in 1974.

Three of Ford's top advisors, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and Anton Scalia tried in vain to stop Ford from signing the legislation (no surprise there), but because of Watergate scandal, Ford felt that he had no choice.

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