Secret Holds

Watchdog Calls For End To Secret Holds

Nick Pinto | December 2, 2009, 5:08PM

Few of the arcane traditions and privileges enjoyed by U.S. senators fly in the face of the principles of accountability and transparency as blatantly as the secret hold -- the legislative technique whereby a single lawmaker can scuttle a nomination or pending legislation anonymously.

As TPM readers know, we've tracked a number of secret holds in recent years, with the goal of bringing the lawmaker's identity to light. In 2006, for instance, we enlisted readers' help in identifying the senator who had placed a secret hold on legislation to make a searchable database of government grants and contracts.

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