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Bill

HR 8215

Volume II Transparency Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Steve Cohen

Expands federal agency transparency requirements and accelerates public document disclosure to strengthen government accountability and FOIA compliance.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8215

Legislative bill overview

HR 8215, the Volume II Transparency Act of 2026, requires federal agencies to increase public disclosure of documents and data related to government operations and decision-making processes. The bill aims to expand Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) compliance and reduce response times for information requests from the public and media.

Why is this important

Transparency in government operations directly affects public trust and democratic accountability. Citizens, journalists, and civil society organizations rely on access to government information to scrutinize policy decisions, identify potential conflicts of interest, and hold elected officials accountable. Delays or denials of FOIA requests can obstruct legitimate oversight.

Potential points of contention

  • National security and law enforcement concerns: Agencies may argue that broader disclosure requirements compromise classified information, ongoing investigations, or intelligence sources—claims that transparency advocates dispute
  • Implementation costs and resource requirements: Federal agencies could face substantial expenses hiring additional staff and developing systems to process increased disclosure requests, potentially straining already-limited budgets
  • Definition of "transparency": Disagreement over which documents should be automatically disclosed versus requiring FOIA requests, and how to balance transparency with protection of personal privacy, trade secrets, and attorney-client privileges

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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