Oversight
HHS removed Login from its grantee payment system after funding theft
Hackers used data from a federal contracting hub to steal funding from seven grantee organizations in an HHS breach that occurred last year. Both HHS and GSA say that Login.gov was not compromised or connected to the theft.
Oversight
Russian hackers accessed federal agencies' emails in Microsoft breach, CISA says
The alert comes a week after Microsoft was faulted in a Homeland Security Department report for fostering a security culture that enabled a similar China-backed cyberattack last year.
Oversight
VA claims appeal board errors are the target of a new House bill
The Veterans Claims Quality Improvement Act seeks to mitigate errors made by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals with new training, performance evaluations and required reports to Congress.
Oversight
Contentious FBI headquarters plan looms over House hearing on real estate footprint
The House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management sought to examine the FBI’s strategy for managing its overall office space requirements, but the ongoing controversy over its potential new headquarters again took center stage.
Oversight
5 agencies join Justice in pledge to protect civil rights against AI-fueled discrimination
The agencies pledged to use their existing enforcement authorities to tackle cases where artificial intelligence may impact Americans’ civil rights.
Oversight
10 doctors on an FDA panel reviewing Abbott heart device had financial ties with the company
Some familiar with the process said the payments should have been disclosed in the interest of transparency.
Oversight
Citizen oversight panels could make the federal rulemaking process more open and democratic
Juries render decisions on complex legal questions and could do the same as part of the regulatory process.
Oversight
Lawmakers propose extending pandemic analytics center beyond 2025 sunset
Oversight officials say that the Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence needs to survive past the looming sunset date, unlike a similar analytics center used to oversee stimulus spending that shuttered in 2015.
Oversight
Why plugging leaks sometimes means protecting leakers
COMMENTARY | Congress needs to establish a form of amnesty that, where appropriate, provides an exit ramp for individuals who have unwittingly violated the terms of a security clearance and wish to come clean.
Oversight
Bill would axe classified access for feds charged with a crime
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., appears tailored to allegations of Donald Trump's retention of classified documents, but would remove almost any federal employee’s access if they were charged with specific offenses.
Oversight
MSPB political firing case raises new questions on Schedule F
The Housing and Urban Development Department’s 2017 firing of a probationary employee over alleged leaks was politically motivated, the agency tasked with enforcing civil service laws said last week.
Oversight
FDA clinical inspections are plummeting due to staffing issues
Employees are also concerned some of their inspection findings are being ignored.
Oversight
House GOP members want info on IRS’ alleged AI ‘financial surveillance’ of citizens
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., requested more details about the tax agency’s use of artificial intelligence in its enforcement efforts in a letter published Wednesday.
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Oversight
House committee leaders want Biden to oust the acting Commerce IG
Lawmakers on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee said the current acting inspector general is “entangled” in the allegations that led to his predecessor’s ouster, adding that they lack confidence in “any” senior staffers to lead the watchdog office.
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Oversight
Key senator calls for pause to DeJoy’s changes at USPS
The Postal Service is not being transparent with Congress about its reform efforts, committee chairman says. USPS disputes the claim.
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Oversight
House GOP launches investigation into DOJ's immigration judge 'gag order'
Top lawmakers say the Biden administration is inhibiting free speech and circumscribing congressional oversight.
Oversight
Supreme Court clarifies when public officials can block citizens on social media
The Supreme Court unanimously found in a pair of cases that whether a government official can block a constituent on their personal social media account hinges on if a post is a state action or is private conduct.
Oversight
Investigation finds for-profit nursing homes cut corners on safety and drain resources with financial shenanigans
The report finds that these problems are most pronounced in midsize chains that dodge public scrutiny. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says it is “unwavering in its commitment to improve safety and quality of care for the more than 1.2 million residents receiving care in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes.”
Oversight
Modernize FOIA to increase its Sunshine effect
COMMENTARY | A modern-day FOIA needs to adopt changes that are uniform and consistent across all the covered agencies, writes a former FOIA officer.
Oversight