Oversight
Wildfires Are Still Catching Us Off-Guard. Congress’ Plan to Fix that Isn’t Going Anywhere.
How the proposal to connect federal research agencies and improve wildfire research crashed and burned.
Oversight
The Biden Administration Lays Out its Environmental Reviews and Permitting Goals for the Infrastructure Law
More guidance is expected from the Office of Management and Budget, and the Council on Environmental Quality.
Oversight
Senate Bill to Train Acquisition Workforce on AI gets House Counterpart
The AI Training Act, which passed the Senate last December now has a House companion from Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and James Comer (R-Ky.).
Oversight
Lawmakers Want to Know More About the Trump Hotel Sale
They are questioning the “premium” $375 million price for the lease acquisition.
Oversight
Incidents at a Federal Prison in Texas Have Sparked Broader Concerns About BOP Staffing Levels
Lawmakers would like to see staffing and pay issues addressed.
Oversight
Can Feds Comment on Roe v. Wade?
The Hatch Act limits political speech, but not personal opinions expressed about politically charged topics.
Oversight
What’s at Stake for Trump, Twitter and Politics if the Tweeter-In-Chief Returns from Banishment
Analysis of Trump’s post-Twitter communications suggest that the former president has not moderated his messaging style. So what does that mean if he were to go back on Twitter?
Oversight
GovExec Daily: The Challenges of Overseeing Infrastructure Spending
Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss the White House's relationship with oversight.
Oversight
Most Feds Won't Actually Be Able to Hold Partisan Office and Keep Their Day Jobs, Despite Precedent
Despite a new precedent, OSC does not plan to enter into settlement agreements in which civil servants can concurrently serve in partisan elected positions going forward.
Oversight
The White House Wants to Ensure Good Stewardship of Infrastructure Funds
New guidance directs agencies on implementation of the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Oversight
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Biden Administration Over Asylum Plan
The plan would overhaul the process for migrants seeking asylum, aiming to reduce the average wait time for a decision from five years to six months.
Oversight
IRS Balks at Public Free-file Suggestion From Government Watchdog
The Government Accountability Office thinks the IRS should identify and create more free-filing options for taxpayers, but the IRS says that it "does not believe a public free-filing option would significantly improve the taxpayer experience."
Oversight
The SEC’s Inspector General Will Retire Next Month
A government watchdog group previously recommended consideration of his removal for misconduct.
Oversight
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments on whether Biden Can Toss Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” Policy
The Biden administration had ended the policy that forced 70,000 migrants to wait in Mexico. But a federal judge in Texas forced the administration to restart the program in December.
Oversight
A Top Lawmaker Wants a Briefing on COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Kids
Separately, the FDA approved the first COVID-19 treatment for kids under 12 on Monday.
Oversight
Texas Sues to Block Biden Administration from Lifting Title 42, a Pandemic-era Health Rule Used to Expel Migrants
Texas has led the legal fight against the Biden administration’s immigration policies, filing numerous lawsuits that have led to judges overturning or altering those policies.
Oversight
Feds Could Accept Donations of up to $10K for Legal Funds Under First-Ever Ethics Rule
Ethics office looks to create tighter oversight of who can donate to pay for federal workers' legal fees, but usual gift restrictions won't apply.
Oversight
USDA Had a Plan for Determining the Best Place to Relocate Two Science Agencies. It Didn’t Follow It.
GAO finds the department's approach to relocating its Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Kansas City in 2019 had "significant limitations."
Oversight
Judge’s Ruling on the CDC Mask Mandate Highlights the Limits of the Agency’s Power
A recent court decision that overturns one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s few pandemic rules — masks required on public transportation — spotlights how little power remains in federal hands to enforce public health protections.
Oversight