Under the Freedom of Information Act, US government agencies have how many business days to respond to requests?

Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), U.S. government agencies are required to respond to requests for information within 20 business days. This period is intended to allow agencies sufficient time to locate records, review them, and determine whether they are subject to disclosure under the law. If an agency needs more time due to the complexity or volume of the request, they can issue a notice to the requester, but the initial response time is firmly set at 20 business days to ensure timely processing. This timeframe is a critical component of FOIA's goal to promote transparency and accountability within the federal government.