Oversight
Why America needs the GAO: DOGE done right
COMMENTARY | The legacy of DOGE is unclear, but the federal government already has a proven entity when it comes to finding cost savings and an efficiency multiplier.
Oversight
Lawmakers call for probe of how firm tied to Kristi Noem got piece of $220M DHS ad contracts
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has come under fire after allegations that a Republican consulting firm with ties to her and department leadership had been awarded an ad campaign contract.
Oversight
House Dems urge Trump administration to act on health insurance claim denials
Reps. Bobby Scott, D-Va., and Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., call on the Labor Department’s EBSA to strengthen staffing, improve data collection and enhance appeals protections as claim denials continue to harm participants and beneficiaries.
Oversight
Trump administration resumes funding for inspectors general hub after previously blocking it
OMB’s move to restore CIGIE funding until Jan. 30 comes as the president has already fired or replaced more than 20 agency inspectors general.
Oversight
NTEU sues OPM for Schedule F records
The federal employee union said the government’s dedicated HR agency ignored an August Freedom of Information Act request pertaining to which positions agencies plan to convert to the controversial new job classification.
Oversight
New watchdog at Education Department may have shared pro-Trump social media posts
This latest replacement of the acting Education inspector general comes as the president has fired or removed more than 20 of the agency watchdogs.
Oversight
Housing regulator watchdog ousted, another in Trump’s ongoing replacement of acting inspectors general
Trump has replaced at least five acting IGs and fired nearly 20 of the oversight officials.
Oversight
SSA chief Bisignano faces probe from Wyden and Warren over Fiserv stock and federal contract concerns
The Social Security commissioner has come under fire in recent days as shares in his former company depreciated shortly after his tax-advantaged divestiture from the financial technology firm.
Oversight
Bisignano draws scrutiny as his former company falters
Just months after the Social Security commissioner and Internal Revenue Service CEO divested nearly $600 million in Fiserv investments, the business’ stock value tanked more than 40% on the news that Bisignano had issued overly rosy earnings guidance.
Oversight
Senate Democrats grill inspector general nominees over their independence from Trump
Lawmakers especially criticized the nomination of former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., to lead the Labor Department’s watchdog office.
Oversight
Whistleblower organizations applaud withdrawal of Trump’s ‘unfit’ nominee to lead oversight office
Media reports in recent weeks found that Paul Ingrassia, who has a history of inflammatory rhetoric, has been accused of sexual harassment and sent racist text messages.
Oversight
Trump fires another inspector general, raising fears about oversight independence
The White House did not provide a rationale for the removal, as required by law. The president has fired nearly 20 watchdogs since the start of his second term.
Oversight
Judiciary Democrats launch watchdog website amid withheld funding from inspector general group
The lawmakers are maintaining hotline information for over 20 OIGs, as watchdogs scramble to set up temporary websites after the White House withheld funding from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
Oversight
Does agency messaging blaming Democrats for government shutdown violate the Hatch Act?
Legal experts agree recent messages by the Trump administration about the shutdown at least pose ethical concerns about government impartiality.
Oversight
Hegseth, Vought actions heighten fears about continued inspector general independence
Lawmakers from both parties and good government groups have argued that recent moves by the Trump administration will chill whistleblowing and watchdog offices.
Oversight
Trump administration knocks out at least 15 oversight websites, saying IGs 'lied to the public'
It's not a shutdown issue: the White House is withholding funds from the umbrella organization for the government's inspectors general.
Oversight
Dave Powner returns to GAO, this time to advocate for its bipartisan, cost-saving work
“We are the watchdog for the Congress, and it's really important that they collectively know our value,” congressional relations official Dave Powner told Nextgov/FCW.
Oversight
A developing database of constituent complaints to Congress could help agencies find systemic issues in their public services
While Capitol Hill staffers help constituents when they have trouble getting assistance from an agency, there’s currently no way to track that information across congressional offices.
Updated
Oversight
Fired watchdogs can’t be reinstated despite Trump’s ‘obvious’ law breaking, court decides
A federal judge determined the removed inspectors general could not show irreparable harm.
Oversight