As a tool for government transparency, disclosure of White House visitor logs are an imperfect means of recording executive office of the president activity, witnesses told a May 3 House Energy & Commerce oversight and investigations subcommittee panel. They differed on whether or not the imperfections are a sign that the Obama administration is not truly committed to transparency.

The Obama administration has periodically posted online White House visitor information culled from the Secret Service's Worker and Visitors Entrance System. Several news organizations, including FierceGovernmentIT, have noted limitations in the log information, such as a lack of visitor affiliation information. The Center for Public Integrity recently found that logs also omit the names of thousands White House visitors. A June 26, 2010 New York Times article said that White House officials have taken to meeting with lobbyists at coffee shops nearby the White House in a deliberate effort not to have those lobbyists' names recorded on the WAVES system.

"The visitor logs voluntarily disclosed by the White House are little more than a data dump full of holes that shield rather than shed light on visitors and their business at the White House," said hearing witness Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch.

"Some of the limitations of the visitor logs, though, are simply artifacts of how the system is designed to function--as a security system, and not as a disclosure system," said John Wonderlich, policy director of the Sunlight Foundation.

Wonderlich added that it should be no surprise that some White House officials schedule meetings in venues--including the White House conference room--not covered by the WAVES system and so not currently subject to disclosure. "The visitor log records will never encompass off-site meetings, telephone calls or emails. For comprehensive disclosure of who's influencing the White House, the visitor logs are ultimately not the best tool for the job," he added.

Some moments during the hearing grew tense when especially when Democratic members challenged Republican motives in holding he hearing. "I think that openness in government is important," said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House & Commerce committee.

"I don't think this committee's time is being devoted to the important issue of transparency. This committee's time is being devoted to politics," Waxman added.

Earlier, subcommittee Chairman Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) said the Obama administration gives "lip service" to the idea of transparency.

For more:
- go to the hearing webpage (prepared testimonies and webcast available)

Related Articles:
Only half of agencies meet Obama FOIA standards
FOIA presumption of openness not taking hold, Senate panel told