Oversight
VA veterans crisis line to face new investigation by GAO
Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., says several whistleblowers have told him and his staff that veterans crisis line “responders are currently transferring veterans determined to present complex needs to an indefinite waiting list for eventual contact from a special unit.”
Oversight
What are agencies doing with AI? A bipartisan Senate duo wants to know
Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, sent letters to three federal agencies probing into their use of artificial intelligence systems.
Oversight
Judge tosses IG’s lawsuit alleging harassment by oversight body investigating him
A watchdog of watchdogs is acting appropriately by investigating the inspector general, court rules.
Oversight
From payment accuracy to program integrity
COMMENTARY | The staggering level of pandemic fraud coupled with mounting concerns about the size and trajectory of the nation’s debt load should elevate program integrity as a top management focus, writes one observer.
Oversight
Supreme Court lifts restrictions on federal agency contacts with social media firms
The ruling frees up federal agencies to contact social network platform owners about content moderation issues and other matters, pending the resolution of a court case.
Oversight
GAO: Army Corps’ cleanup of Manhattan Project-era sites suffers from management, cost uncertainties
Although the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ cost estimate of contaminated sites associated with the early decades of nuclear weapons manufacturing sat at $2.6 billion at the end of fiscal 2022, that number could easily grow substantially over time.
Oversight
With so many billions in buying, procurement needs a better dashboard
COMMENTARY | Procurement executives need a holistic view of their organizations' performance, argues one observer.
Oversight
How more than $600M in COVID relief funds awarded last year went unreported
The problem is even bigger this year, according to the Government Accountability Office. The lack of reporting makes it difficult to track fraud, waste and abuse.
Oversight
USPS says mail theft is getting worse, but its plans are so far incomplete and yielding few results
The mailing agency must flesh out its strategies to address rising crime rates, Postal Service watchdog says.
Oversight
Report: DHS, USPS failing in their requirements to screen for opioids in the mail
A 2018 law aimed at preventing drug producers from shipping their goods through the mail is not being implemented, IG says.
Oversight
Disaster recovery projects stall nationwide as FEMA runs out of money
The agency has paused $2.8 billion in spending as it braces for a looming government shutdown.
Oversight
Social Security overpayments draw scrutiny and outrage from members of Congress
SSA recovered $4.7 billion of overpayments during the 2022 fiscal year but ended that year with $21.6 billion of overpayments still uncollected, according to a November 2022 report by department’s inspector general.
Oversight
What I learned covering government for 34 years
The privilege of reporting on the stuff that really matters.
Oversight
New bill would beef up accessibility reporting requirements for agencies
Agency and department heads would be required to appoint “Section 508 compliance officers” to ensure they meet accessibility mandates.
Oversight
DHS faces protests over $450M small business contract
The protestors disagree with how the Homeland Security Department is looking to field this IT and professional services contract.
Oversight
Pandemic unemployment fraud as high as $135B, watchdog says
The Government Accountability Office's new estimate underscores the urgency of modernizing state-based unemployment insurance systems.
Oversight
Efforts grow to undercut prosecutors’ authority
COMMENTARY | Some Republican lawmakers in Georgia are looking to remove District Attorney Fani Willis, a Black Democrat representing a majority Black district, from office. The effort in Georgia is not happening in a silo.
Oversight
House Speaker McCarthy tells committees to launch Biden impeachment probe
"I do not make this decision lightly," the California Republican told reporters Tuesday. It’s unclear if he has 218 votes for the House to launch a probe.
Oversight
State Dept. looks to AI for declassification, FOIA processing
The agency’s enterprise AI strategy is expected next month.
Oversight