Oversight
Why Congress Would Keep Working During a Government Shutdown
Even if other parts of the federal government shut down, Congress could – and would have to – keep working. A legal scholar explains why and how that is possible.
Oversight
How to Conduct a Trial in the Senate
The Constitution does not provide procedural guidelines for how an impeachment trial is to be conducted—so the senators of 1868 had to figure it out as they went.
Oversight
Watchdog Concludes Defense Appointee Sexually Harassed Employees
Guy Roberts, former assistant secretary of Defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs, hugged, touched and made sexual comments toward several women, the Pentagon inspector general found.
Oversight
Defense IG Will Review Recent $400 Million Border Wall Contract
Key House lawmaker asked for the review, citing possible improper influence by the Trump administration.
Oversight
House Passes Bill that Mandates TSA to Study Emerging Transportation Security Threats
The legislation calls for a task force to look into emerging cyber, chemical, drone and other threats.
Oversight
Federal Aviation Administration Will Reconsider Agency’s Oversight of Boeing
“I witnessed a factory in chaos,” a former Boeing facility manager told lawmakers.
Oversight
Interior Appears Likely to Receive Funding for Relocation Even as Top Watchdog Announces Investigation
Congressional committee to subpoena records from BLM that justify moving hundreds of employees.
Oversight
Analysis: Impeachment Gets Weird
Democratic Chairman Jerry Nadler virtually lost control of Monday's House Judiciary Committee hearing.
Oversight
House Passes Bill to Boost Civil Rights at Homeland Security
Legislation follows surge of whistleblowers saying civil rights office has been neutered under Trump.
Oversight
Analysis: Courts Have Avoided Refereeing Between Congress and the President, but Trump May Force Them to Wade In
President Trump refuses to provide information to lawmakers in the impeachment inquiry. But courts have been reluctant to take such cases for fear of upsetting the government's balance of power.
Oversight
Key House Lawmaker Calls for Review of $400 Million Border Wall Contract
Federal officials had previously rejected Fisher Sand and Gravel's offerings, but President Trump is a fan of the company.
Oversight
Analysis: The Legal Debate About Impeachment Is Over
The expert witness called by Republicans agreed that the quid pro quo—if proved—would be an impeachable act.
Oversight
IG Says It Is Helping Return As Much As $5.9 Billion to the Government
The anticipated recoveries of misspent health program dollars would be the result of the HHS watchdog's work in fiscal 2019.
Oversight
Viewpoint: The Obscure—but Critical—Rules the Trump Administration Has Sought to Corrupt
I was part of a team that carefully developed a rule-making process in compliance with both the Constitution and Congress’s laws. Can the same be said now?
Management
Watchdog: Proposed OPM-GSA Merger Continues to 'Evolve' Despite Lack of Legislation
Officials have continued to examine moving portions of OPM to GSA piecemeal, and still lack documentation for the legal authority and cost benefit analyses, the inspector general said.
Oversight
Senator Questions Spending on Sea Lion Grants, Shutdowns and More
Annual report identifies “wasteful” federal spending as well as solutions.
Oversight
Texas Chemical Plant Rocked by Multiple Explosions Was Declared High Priority Violator by EPA
The Southeast Texas chemical manufacturing plant, owned by Houston-based Texas Petroleum Chemical Group, has a long history of environmental violations and been out of compliance with federal clean air laws for years.
Oversight
Intel and Defense IGs Reaffirm Commitment to Protecting Whistleblowers During 'Searing Time'
“Time will tell whether whistleblowers’ rights and protections will emerge from this period with the same legal, ethical, and moral strength they had previously,” one watchdog wrote.
Oversight
Census Fails Key Recruiting and Hiring Tests as It Gears Up for 2020 Count
Despite warnings of delays and cost overruns, agency says it's confident operations will not be interrupted.
Oversight