"Interior: Wyden To Ice Jorjani Vote Over FOIA Program"

"Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden (D) declared today he will block the confirmation of Daniel Jorjani to become the Interior Department's solicitor over concerns about how the agency handles Freedom of Information Act requests.

Wyden, who serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, accused Jorjani of lying to congressional lawmakers about the role Trump administration political appointees play in approving the release of FOIA documents.

"Attempts by political appointees at the Interior Department to delay, stonewall and otherwise inhibit public and Congressional oversight are totally unacceptable," Wyden said in a statement.

The Senate energy panel approved Jorjani's nomination last month, but the full chamber has yet to consider his nomination. Jorjani currently serves as principal deputy solicitor."

Jennifer Yachnin reports for Greenwire July 31, 2019.

SEE ALSO:

"Top Dem Puts Hold On Trump Interior Nominee, Requests DOJ Perjury Probe" (HuffPost)

"Democratic Senator Vows To Fight Trump Interior Nominee After Requesting Perjury Investigation" (The Hill)

"Ethics Office Examines Allegations That  Interior Dept. Officials Violated Transparency Laws" (New York Times)

"Wyden Aims To Stunt Lead Interior Attorney Confirmation, Cites Records Policy" (Roll Call)

"Statement on Potential Criminal Investigation Of Acting Interior Solicitor Daniel Jorjani" (Center for Western Priorities release)

"Senator Calls for Criminal Investigation Into Interior’s Nominated Solicitor for Lying About Public Records Political Meddling" (Western Values Project release)

"Critics Say Interior's Top Lawyer Came 'Close To Perjury' During Hill Testimony" (The Hill)

"Environmental Groups Release Thousands of Interior Department Emails Documenting Unlawful Changes to Basic Transparency Measures" (Earthjustice release)