Oversight

Democrats Propose Requiring Federal Law Enforcement Officers to Identify Themselves During Protests

“Transparency is a building block of public trust and federal law enforcement officials who hid their identities were not serving the public's interest,” said one lawmaker.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: An Accountability and Oversight Update

Nextgov’s Frank Konkel and GovExec’s Courtney Bublé cover the latest news on inspectors general and the Trump administration.

Oversight

'I Can’t Speak Negatively About the President,' Says Official Charged With Stimulus Oversight

President Donald Trump’s purge of watchdogs is on the mind of one of the newly hired officials charged with overseeing the more than $2 trillion CARES Act.

Oversight

House Democrats Ask IC for Plans to Prevent Foreign Actors from Exploiting Racial Tensions

“Unfortunately, we know that foreign actors have historically sought to exploit tensions in American communities during times like these,” they wrote.

Oversight

Watchdog Groups Highlight Potential Issues of Acting IGs Holding Dual Roles

In “today’s highly partisan environment” this setup could “understandably raise questions and create unease” in both the IG office and the agency where the official holds an executive job, said experts.  

Oversight

Republican Senator Holds Up Nominations While Awaiting IG Firing Explanations

The positions now in limbo are National Counterterrorism Center director and State Department undersecretary for arms control and international security. 

Oversight

Legislation Seeks to Increase Transparency and Strengthen Congress’ Role in Federal Spending

Both parties have “encroached on the power of the purse,” said one senator, but “this has been acutely true under this administration.”

Management

OMB Nominee Pledges to Work With Congress and GAO on Coronavirus Investigations

The Office of Management and Budget will “be as responsive as we possibly can,” said Russell Vought. 

Oversight

House Democrats Demand Trump Administration Stop Rushing Through Deportations of Migrant Children

Democratic congressional leaders expressed alarm at the sudden acceleration and requested the government “cease this practice immediately.”

Oversight

Democratic Congressman Calls for Probe Into Former White House Official’s $3 Million Mask Deal

Trump’s former deputy chief of staff won a $3 million federal contract just days after registering his company. He delivered masks to Navajo hospitals that may not work. Rep. Gerry Connolly asked the HHS inspector general’s office to look into it.

Oversight

Analysis: Congress May Not Like It When Trump Fires An Inspector General – But It Can’t Do Anything To Stop Him

President Trump isn't the first president to get rid of inspectors general. He is the first to assert that inspectors general investigations into his administration's actions are unconstitutional.

Management

Finally With a Quorum, Federal Election Commission Faces ‘Extensive Backlog of Cases’

The nation’s campaign finance watchdog gets back to work after being hamstrung the last eight and a half months.

Defense

Senate Intel Panel Advances Ratcliffe Nomination In Party-Line Vote

The former Texas prosecutor is a deeply controversial pick for the nation’s top spy.

Oversight

Lawmakers Press GSA on Trump Hotel’s Request for Financial Relief During Pandemic  

This comes as a federal appeals court revives an Emoluments Clause lawsuit involving the hotel.