Oversight
America’s Food Safety System Failed to Stop a Salmonella Epidemic. It’s Still Making People Sick.
For years, a dangerous salmonella strain has sickened thousands and continues to spread through the chicken industry. The USDA knows about it. So do the companies. And yet, contaminated meat continues to be sold to consumers.
Oversight
Sen. Ted Cruz Delays Dozens of President Joe Biden’s Ambassador Nominations, Stoking Feud Over National Security
Cruz has single-handedly delayed dozens of key State Department nominees in retaliation for a Biden decision to drop U.S. opposition to a Russian pipeline to Germany.
Oversight
Whistleblowers Risk Everything—Lawmakers Must Protect Them
Two pivotal pieces of legislation pending before Congress would strengthen weak whistleblower protection laws.
Oversight
Top Republicans Request More Information on Federal Employee Vaccine Mandate
They wrote to three agencies with concerns about the mandate, including that it might contribute to attrition that would make it difficult for agencies to fulfill their missions.
Oversight
Trump Wants the National Archives to Keep His Papers Away from Investigators – Post-Watergate Laws and Executive Orders May not Let Him
Donald Trump’s lawsuit to stop the release to Congress of potentially embarrassing or incriminating documents puts the National Archives in the middle of an old legal conflict.
Oversight
Immediate Sidelining of Trump Burrower by Biden Administration Was Appropriate, IG Finds
The official's hiring by the National Security Agency had generated significant concern, but a watchdog says the decision was above board.
Oversight
The Federal Government Gave Billions to America’s Schools for COVID-19 Relief. Where Did the Money Go?
The Education Department’s limited tracking of $190 billion in pandemic support funds sent to schools has left officials in the dark about how effective the aid has been in helping students.
Oversight
FAA Suggests Steps to Improve Aviation Safety in Alaska. Some Experts Say They’re Not Enough.
In a recently released report, the FAA recommended safety measures to address Alaska’s high share of aircraft accidents. The report, which contains few new initiatives or calls for funding, falls short of what’s needed, according to experts.
Oversight
Oversight Group Files Hatch Act Complaint Against White House Press Secretary
While not as “outrageous” as the Trump administration’s actions, that doesn’t “mean we should be casual about compliance with an important ethics law,” the group’s president says.
Oversight
Lawmaker Requests IG Probe Into Trump COVID-19 Food Program
A report from Democratic congressional staff found “serious red flags” with some of the contractors involved in the program.
Oversight
ATF Misclassified Jobs as Law Enforcement and Retaliated Against Whistleblower, Agencies Say
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is demanding additional information after revelations that the Office of Personnel Management partially suspended the agency’s authority to classify positions.
Oversight
Documents Raise ‘New and Troubling Questions’ on Trump Hotel Lease, Lawmakers Say
House Democrats are asking GSA for more information following revelations on Friday.
Oversight
Biden Moves to Fill More Inspector General Vacancies, Announcing 3 Nominees
One of the watchdog positions has been without permanent leadership since June 2014.
Oversight
Lawmakers Question Accounting Firms Over ‘Revolving Door’ With Federal Agencies
A recent news investigation detailed potential ethics issues over the past four presidential administrations.
Oversight
McKinsey Never Told the FDA It Was Working for Opioid Makers While Also Working for the Agency
The consulting giant was helping Purdue Pharma and Johnson & Johnson fend off FDA regulations even as it helped shape FDA drug policy.
Oversight
Lawmaker Urges Watchdogs to Review Special Immigrant Visa Process for Afghans
The process has been scrutinized in the wake of the Taliban’s takeover and U.S. withdrawal.
Oversight
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Buddies Tried to Get the VA to Sell Access to Veterans’ Medical Records
A congressional investigation prompted by ProPublica’s reporting found Trump’s “Mar-a-Lago crowd,” wealthy civilians with no U.S. government or military experience, pursued a plan to monetize veterans’ medical data.
Oversight
Watchdog Considers Review of Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint Process for Feds
House Democrats sent a request to the Government Accountability Office last week.
Oversight
Watchdog Still Reviewing Trump Administration's Handling of Some Ukraine Funds
GAO found that the Trump team broke the law by withholding $214 million in Defense funds for policy reasons, but is still looking at another $168 million in State Department funds.
Oversight