WASHINGTON — The Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act, H.R. 752, passed the House of Representatives today. Rep Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced this legislation to provide greater transparency over government payments and to ensure the law works as intended for veterans, small business owners and individuals.
“Transparency is a key tool in helping protect American citizens from a bloated federal bureaucracy,” said Collins.
Congress passed the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) in 1980 to help individuals and small businesses recover attorney’s fees and costs associated with defending themselves against federal government lawsuits. Congress intended EAJA to remove a barrier to justice for those with limited access to the resources it takes to defend themselves from the federal government. This legislation reinstates reporting requirements under EAJA by requiring the creation of a public and searchable database to house these records.