Oversight

A Bill Would Repeal an Expensive Tax Rule For Public Servants

Rep. Abigail Spanberger joins the podcast to discuss her plan to put money in feds' and retirees' pockets.

Oversight

This Agency’s Declassification Work Could Be a Model for Others

A new paper, based on consultations with government officials and others, looks at what the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has done in recent years.

Oversight

Federal Agencies Lag in Registering Voters Despite Biden Executive Order, Advocates Say

15 Republican secretaries of state sent a letter to the White House, asking president to reverse order, which they said will produce duplicate registrations, confuse citizens

Oversight

Environmental Groups Sue EPA Over Water Pollution Standards

A coalition of environmental groups claims the EPA has failed for decades to update limits on the discharge of some dangerous chemicals into waterways. Most of the worst polluters are in Texas.

Oversight

The EPA Faces Questions About Its Approval of a Plastic-Based Fuel With an Astronomical Cancer Risk

A senator questioned the EPA chief and a group sued the agency after ProPublica and the Guardian revealed that the EPA gave a Chevron refinery approval to make a fuel that could leave people nearby with a 1-in-4 lifetime risk of cancer.

Oversight

The Army Increasingly Allows Soldiers Charged With Violent Crimes to Leave the Military Rather Than Face Trial

A federal watchdog called for ending the practice nearly 50 years ago, but the military pushed back. Now, soldiers leave the Army with a negative discharge, avoiding possible federal conviction and with little record of the allegations against them.

Oversight

DHS Watchdog Alleges Harassment, Chilling Effect and Constitutional Violations

A lawsuit filed this week alleges the Homeland Security inspector general and his office have been harassed by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency’s investigations, among other things.

Oversight

Following Concerns, Watchdog Advises DOJ on Ending Private Detention Contracts

The department’s inspector general says its recommendations on information sharing and documentation will ensure the proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars and that the department carries out the intent of President Biden’s executive order for the Marshals Service.

Oversight

Trump’s Indictment Stretches U.S. Legal System in New Ways – a Former Prosecutor Explains 4 Key Points to Understand

The Manhattan District Attorney will need to prove several different points in its prosecution of Trump. But securing an unbiased jury will also challenge the execution of this unprecedented case.

Oversight

Another Bipartisan Push for More Financial Transparency and Accountability

“Congress must have a clear understanding of what regulatory and supervisory failures occurred to allow the collapse of both Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank,” said one Republican senator.

Oversight

Social Security Trustees Predict Benefit Cuts in 2033 without Congressional Action

The projections say that, without action, Social Security would have enough money to pay about 77% of the total scheduled benefits.

Oversight

Paying Your Taxes Is Complicated. Here's Why.

OpenSecrets' Anna Massoglia joins the podcast to discuss the influence of tax preparation industry lobbying money on the ways Americans interact with the IRS.

Oversight

House Democratic Women Make a Case Against Cuts to Programs for Women and Families

Members of the House Democratic Women’s Caucus are ‘gearing up for really big fights’ over funding for women’s health as House Republicans plan to propose slashing many areas of federal spending.

Oversight

Trump Indictment Won’t Keep Him from Presidential Race, but Will Make His Reelection Bid Much Harder

With a grand jury indictment of former President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, a legal scholar explores what the law says about the consequences of such an unprecedented act.

Oversight

Watchdogs: Having the Authority to Hire People Faster Would Strengthen Oversight of Ukraine Aid 

The State, Defense and U.S. Agency for International Development inspectors general are also looking to place staff at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv.

Oversight

How An Inclusive Work Environment Attracts and Retains Tech Workers

An inclusive IT staff helps Detroit close workforce gaps and bridge the digital divide.

Oversight

Experts See Economic Problems for U.S. as Struggle Over Debt Limit, Spending Cuts Extends

Economic experts testified in front of the U.S. House Budget Committee on Wednesday, as a fierce debate over the nation’s budget remains front and center.

Oversight

FBI Whistleblower Protections May Finally Catch Up With Obama-era Policy Changes

The Justice Department also wants to know how it can further increase “fairness, effectiveness, efficiency and transparency” for whistleblowers.

Oversight

Members Of Senate Panel Press Financial Regulators On Massive Bank Failures

Members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs asked if the Federal Reserve could have done more to prevent the collapse.

Oversight

There Are Ways to Improve the System of Classifying Documents

Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss the different ways that Congress and the National Archives are tackling problems like overclassification.