Management

Under fire, Social Security chief vows ‘top-to-bottom’ review of payment clawbacks

House members faulted the agency for issuing billions of dollars of payments in error and then, often much later, demanding that beneficiaries pay the money back.

Management

COVID relief payments triggered feds to demand money back from Social Security recipients

House and Senate members have called for action on problems at the Social Security Administration.

Management

Lawmakers Push to Extend Deadline for Alaska Native Corporations to Spend COVID-19 Relief Funds

The Supreme Court ruled in June that these corporations are in fact eligible for the money, but now they are racing to spend it ahead of a December 31 deadline.

Oversight

Watchdog: HHS Should Update Congress on COVID-19 Spending Time Frames

GAO offers 15 new recommendations for improving the federal government’s pandemic response. 

Management

How to Maximize Nonprofit Impact with the American Rescue Plan

By engaging in effective decision-making and budgeting, organizations can provide services they know work, fix those that don’t and improve the relationship between funding and impact.

Oversight

Watchdog Alleges ‘Turf Battles’ Over Pandemic Oversight 

The pandemic inspector general asked the Justice Department for a legal opinion after getting “resistance” from other agencies. 

Management

Biden Proposes $28B to Revamp Federal Buildings, More for Electrified Federal Fleet

The $2 trillion infrastructure proposal includes reshaping how federal buildings are funded and a new directive for the Postal Service.

Oversight

President Biden: COVID Relief Needs ‘Fastidious Oversight’

The American Rescue Plan is the latest in the federal government’s historic pandemic spending. 

Management

SBA Relaunches COVID Loan Program As Watchdog Warns About Possible Fraud 

The recent COVID relief package included funding for a third round of the program, which has come under much scrutiny. 

Management

IRS is Ready to Distribute Stimulus Checks if Trump Approves Bill

President Trump threw lawmakers for a loop after he blasted a pandemic relief spending package as insufficient. The outcome is uncertain.

Management

Contracting Groups Welcome Extension of Leave Provision in COVID Deal 

Language enacted in the CARES Act allowing agencies to give contractors sick or paid leave during the pandemic if they cannot access their worksites was extended until March 31, 2021.

Oversight

Watchdog: OMB Should Issue Guidance About Improper Payments With COVID Relief Funds

The full extent of the issue is not fully known yet, but there could be a “substantial” sum in mistaken payments, said the Government Accountability Office.

Oversight

Oversight In 'Extraordinary Times': A Q&A With the Executive Overseeing Pandemic Spending

Robert Westbrooks explains how the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee is keeping tabs on historic levels of emergency spending.

Management

Senate GOP’s Coronavirus Relief Package Would Fund Controversial Plan to Rebuild FBI Headquarters in D.C.

The Trump administration in 2017 scrapped a decade-long plan to reconstruct the facility in the Washington suburbs. 

Oversight

Inspector General for 2008 Economic Recovery Program Offers Lessons for Pandemic Oversight

“We'll do whatever we can to help [the special IG for pandemic recovery] be successful,” says Christy Goldsmith Romero in an interview with Government Executive.

Oversight

Labor Dept IG Steps Down Following Pandemic Relief Fund Fraud Warning

“This decision has been long in the works and is for entirely personal reasons. I have not been told or asked to resign,” Scott Dahl said.