Oversight

Cost of VA’s Digital GI Bill has nearly doubled amid delays and contract challenges

The agency’s Office of Inspector General said in a new report that initial contract requirements for the Digital GI Bill platform “were unclear and included unrealistic expectations.”

Oversight

IRS is behind on Biden policy to not increase audits for households under $400K

TIGTA reports that the IRS has not developed a methodology to comply with a 2022 directive that bars IRA funding from being used to increase audits on households earning $400,000 or less annually.

Oversight

Republicans criticize EEOC over nixed one-day furlough

The agency said that no additional funding and a high pay increase for federal employees helped create its budget shortfall, but GOP leaders called it a failure to adjust spending.

Oversight

GAO wants new Secret Service training plan after Trump assassination attempt

The watchdog recommended the agency implement new training goals for agents in the Presidential Protective Division after a gunman attempted to assassinate Donald Trump in July.

Oversight

Military does not collect comprehensive data on its job program for departing service members

The SkillBridge program allows service members who are transitioning to civilian life within 180 days to participate in job and employment training.

Oversight

Republicans ask for an update on Havana syndrome treatment

GAO recently issued a report that found many federal employee patients experienced challenges accessing care.

Oversight

House Dems ask OSHA to respond to reports that state agencies tipped off employers

“If these allegations are true, it means that our federal funds, meant to ensure safe and fair workplaces, might be enabling exactly the opposite," wrote two lawmakers in a letter to Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su on Tuesday.

Oversight

GOP lawmakers raise concerns over DHS report redactions, OIG cooperation 

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., pressed the Homeland Security secretary in a letter to explain why the department has redacted information in some of its reports to Congress and has allegedly restricted its inspector general’s access. 

Oversight

LGBTQ+ asylum seekers detail harsh conditions and abuse in ICE custody

A new study found that the majority of LGBTQ+ detainees interviewed experienced harassment while being detained.

Oversight

Watchdog urges OMB to prioritize implementation of anti-fraud recommendations

GAO updated the budget agency on the 172 recommendations that it has not completed.

Oversight

National Park Service’s IRA hiring surge could fail ahead of funding deadline

While the legislation gave hundreds of millions to NPS for hiring, it didn’t grant new hiring flexibilities, which the Interior Department inspector general reports is hampering progress.

Oversight

The FDA calls them ‘recalls,’ yet the targeted medical devices often remain in use

When it comes to medical devices, recalls can include not only “removals,” in which the device is removed from where it is used or sold, but also “corrections,” which address the problem in the field.

Oversight

Whistleblower hearing spotlights Coast Guard handling of sexual misconduct

Congressional investigations into sexual assault and harassment in the military branch began after a media report found the Coast Guard Academy covered up misconduct.

Oversight

Nonprofit urges the White House to fill vacant watchdog roles

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington penned a letter to President Biden Wednesday calling for the appointment of 14 inspectors general to fill roles at agencies such as the General Services Administration and Social Security Administration.

Oversight

Senators ask Social Security for info on AI work

Though the Social Security Administration has been using artificial intelligence tools in some form for two decades, the lawmakers stressed the need to engage the public as it explores new technologies like generative AI.

Oversight

IRS program to assist poor taxpayers rarely picks up the phone

TIGTA investigators were unable to leave a message at 16 local Taxpayer Advocate Service offices because their voicemail boxes were full.

Oversight

FDIC leaders let anti-harassment initiatives falter

A recent inspector general report is the latest investigation into shortcomings with the banking regulator’s sexual harassment prevention programs and policies.

Oversight

The federal judiciary has improved its policies against workplace misconduct, but not at all levels

The GAO found that while the judiciary has taken steps to address workplace misconduct, there are gaps at the circuit level, as well as in measuring effectiveness and data reporting. 

Oversight

FBI lacks strategy for sharing information with social media platforms about foreign influence threats to U.S. elections

The Justice Department inspector general warned about the risk of sharing information with foreign-owned social media platforms, the FBI not maintaining relationships with companies outside of Silicon Valley and disinformation created using artificial intelligence.