Ethics

ect the Freedom of Information Act and overturned Bush-era limits on accessibility of federal documents (Jan 2009)

• Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible in the release and availability of government documents (Jan 21, 2009)

• Placed limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House (Jan & Feb 2009)

• Placed limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration (Jan 21, 2009)

• Signed a measure strengthening registration and reporting requirements for lobbyists (2009)

• Ordered that lobbyists must be removed from and are no longer permitted to serve on federal and White House advisory panels and boards (2009) * Note: After saying he would not hire lobbyists, a few have been hired in the Administration

• Companies and individuals who are delinquent on their taxes or owe back taxes are no longer allowed to bid for federal contracts (2009)

• Established a special inspector general for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) (April 24, 2009)

• Enhanced the role and powers of the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction (June 30, 2009)

• Signed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act (May 20, 2009)

• Initiated the “e-Rulemaking Initiative” (in cooperation with Cornell University) to allow for online public “notice and comment” of federal laws and initiatives (2010)

• Issued the “Open Gov Directive” ordering all Cabinet departments to promote transparency and citizen participation in their policies (2010)

• Signed extensions on banning lobbyists from serving on agency boards (2010)

• Developed the “Do Not Pay List” with data on contractors and recipients of federal funds who are deemed to be ineligible because of fraud and abuse (2010)

• Signed the Anti-Border Corruption Act (Jan 4, 2011)

• Opened additional presidential records to the public (Jan 21, 2011)