Have political appointees been screening what information the Department of Homeland Security releases in response to Freedom of Information Act requests? The new head of the House Oversight Committee, Darrell Issa (R-CA), wants to know.

"A House committee has asked the Homeland Security Department to provide documents about an agency policy that required political appointees to review many Freedom of Information Act requests, according to a letter obtained Jan. 16 by the Associated Press," an AP story datelined January 16, 2011, said.

• "House Panel Wants Homeland Security Documents," [2] Associated Press, January 16, 2011, by Alan Fram.