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.

Oversight

House sends the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act to president's desk

The chamber also approved two other bills to improve oversight of federal agencies.

Oversight

Nuclear waste cleanup agency undermined by staff shortages, report says

The Energy Department’s Office of Environmental Management had a 17% vacancy rate at the end of fiscal 2023 and most were mission-critical roles.

Oversight

FBI program to catch serial criminals is underfunded and understaffed, inspector general says

Despite a nearly 3,000% increase in cases submitted to the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program’s database, staffing and funding levels have remained “relatively flat.”

Updated Oversight

A mental health program for service members transitioning to civilian life was unable to contact most enrollees

Oversight officials have spotlighted numerous concerns with programs to help individuals leaving the military.

Oversight

Bill to strengthen oversight of beleaguered Bureau of Prisons is cleared for president’s signature

The Senate approved the measure by unanimous consent, following several misconduct investigations into the federal prison system.