While the United States Senate is an honorable and venerable body, even this esteemed institution may need a few rule changes — such as banning secret holds.

The issue comes up because an unidentified senator placed a "secret hold" on legislation introduced by Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Barack Obama, D-Ill. The legislation would create a searchable database of government contracts, grants, insurance, loans and financial assistance, worth $2.5 trillion last year. The database would bring transparency to federal spending and be as simple to use as conducting a Google search.

Seems like an excellent idea.

In fact, the measure was unanimously passed in a voice vote last month by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

However, under Senate rules, unless the senator who placed the "hold" decides to lift it, the bill will not be brought up for a vote.

At the very least, such senatorial "holds" should not be secret. If any senator wants to block a bill, let him say so publicly and defend his action, not only to his colleagues but also to his constituents back home.

There are any number of investigative reporters in Washington. They should be checking to see which senator is blocking this bill and inform the public. This legislation has the potential of saving the taxpayers millions, if not billions, of dollars. Any senator who blocks it should not be allowed to do so in secret.