Open and Responsive Government Act of 2023

S 1812, the Open and Responsive Government Act of 2023, amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to improve public access to government records. It directly affects citizens, journalists, and businesses submitting FOIA requests by clarifying when agencies can withhold information. The key changes require agencies to prove that disclosing information would cause "substantial harm" to a business's competitive position before calling it "confidential," and explicitly prohibit withholding non-responsive portions of records or withholding information from Congress. These amendments aim to reduce unnecessary secrecy in government operations.