Barack Obama's Sunlight Before Signing Pledge
During his 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama championed a vision of an open government designed to eliminate secrecy and corruption. Central to this vision was a specific commitment known as the Sunlight Before Signing initiative, which aimed to give the American public a direct window into the legislative process before laws were finalized.
The philosophy behind this pledge was inspired by a famous quote from Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, who asserted that "sunlight is the best of disinfectants." In a political context, this means that transparency acts as a germicidal agent, rooting out corruption and unethical dealings by exposing them to public scrutiny.
Key Facts
- Initial Announcement: The pledge was first made on June 22, 2007, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
- The Five-Day Rule: Obama pledged to make non-emergency bills available online for a five-day public comment period before signing them.
- Primary Goal: To prevent the insertion of "pork barrel projects" (government spending for localized projects secured solely to bring money to a representative's district) and corporate welfare into legislation.
- Transparency Scope: The initiative included making meetings between lobbyists and government agencies available online and disclosing the names and amounts of corporate tax breaks.
The Mechanics of Open Government
Obama's proposal sought to change how legislation reached the president's desk. He argued that bills were too often rushed through Congress, leaving the public with no opportunity to review the contents. By implementing a mandatory waiting period for non-emergency legislation, the administration intended to ensure that the "people's business" remained transparent.
Beyond the five-day review, the campaign outlined several other measures to increase accountability:
- Lobbyist Oversight: Increasing the number of meetings between lobbyists and government agencies that were broadcast or posted online.
- Tax Transparency: Explicitly listing the corporations benefiting from tax bills and the specific amounts they would receive.
- Signing Statements: A commitment to sign legislation without using signing statements—interpretive notes issued by a president—that might undermine the original legislative intent.
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Summary of the Sunlight Before Signing Initiative
| Feature | Campaign Commitment |
|---|---|
| Public Review Period | 5 days for non-emergency bills via the White House website |
| Targeted Waste | Exposure of earmarks, pork barrel projects, and corporate welfare |
| Lobbying | Publicly available meetings between agencies and lobbyists |
| Tax Disclosure | Public listing of corporate beneficiaries and payment amounts |
| Signing Process | Elimination of signing statements that undermine legislative intent |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the "Sunlight Before Signing" pledge?
It was a campaign promise by Barack Obama to post non-emergency bills online for five days to allow for public review and input before he signed them into law.
Who inspired the transparency philosophy of this pledge?
The initiative was inspired by Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, who famously stated that "sunlight is the best of disinfectants."
What are "pork barrel projects" in this context?
Pork barrel projects refer to government spending intended to benefit a specific representative's district or a particular interest group, often tucked into larger bills without sufficient public scrutiny.
How did the pledge address corporate tax breaks?
Obama pledged that for any tax bill debated in Congress, the names of the corporations benefiting and the exact amount of money they would receive would be made public.
Did this pledge apply to all legislation?
No, the five-day public comment period was specifically designated for non-emergency bills.