Oversight
‘I cried so many times’: Watchdog warns that agency guidance for changing employee names is lacking
While the four agencies that the Government Accountability Office analyzed generally had required procedures, nearly all employees that investigators interviewed reported issues navigating the process.
OPM will forego FEVS in 2025, despite law requiring it
The Office of Personnel Management did not answer questions regarding how the federal government will administer a survey of the 16 core Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey questions, which are spelled out in statute.
House Dems: Trump is starving inspectors generals of resources, blocking investigations
Some inspector general offices have reported 20 to 30% decreases in staffing as a result of the administration’s myriad efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce.
Good government group alleges Commerce secretary violated federal ethics law
Several government officials have run afoul of the Hatch Act in recent years for making political comments in their official capacities during media interviews.
Under fire, GAO explains its mission to Congress
COMMENTARY | The Government Accountability Office publishes a blog to explain its role amid threatened budget cuts and rhetoric that questions its value.
Trump illegally froze 1,800 NIH medical research grants, Congress’ watchdog says
The Government Accountability Office said the cancellation of $8 billion in NIH grants was a violation of the Impoundment Control Act and the Constitution.
Agency layoffs do not constitute illegal impoundments, GAO rules
RIFs are not themselves violations of federal spending law, watchdog says, though the administration is violating the law in other ways.
Democrat asks agency watchdogs to tally the cost of DOGE
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is estimating that the efficiency project has racked up around $21.7 billion.
Veterans Affairs whistleblowers may not be getting settlement benefits due to a lack of oversight, watchdog reports
The Government Accountability Office warned that VA needs to do a better job of tracking whistleblower settlement agreements.
OSC recognizes federal mine safety employees who blew the whistle about skipped inspections
The award comes as watchdog organizations have warned that Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, the agency that protects government whistleblowers, could weaken oversight.
2 independent watchdogs quietly replaced by Trump
The former acting Education inspector general had accused administration officials of stonewalling an investigation, and the ex-acting Commerce IG was removed from that position for a second time.
Whistleblower bill for contractors gains bipartisan support with Grassley’s backing
Supporters say the legislation would close “loopholes” in existing whistleblower protections for federal contractors.
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Fraud-fighting oversight committee gets a life extension in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee was set to sunset in September, but now has life through 2034.
Schumer requests probe into impact of staffing cuts on Texas flood response
The Trump administration denies the hundreds of reductions to the National Weather Service workforce had any effect on preparations.
Watchdog validates whistleblower allegation that safety agency failed to inspect mines in the Pacific territories
The Labor Department inspector general previously flagged that the Mine Safety and Health Administration wasn’t performing required inspections of Pacific mines and erroneously classified them as inactive.
OSC recommends bonuses for whistleblowers at Maryland USDA facility
The reallocation of $50 million to upgrade a dilapidated federal research facility would not have been possible without the rights afforded workers through collective bargaining, union leaders argued.
Lawmakers spar over DOGE as Republicans look to lock in cuts
Republicans again blocked an attempt to subpoena billionaire and former DOGE leader Elon Musk.
Trump watchdog nominees draw congressional scrutiny for political histories
Labor inspector general nominee and former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., praised President Donald Trump during his confirmation hearing, while Veterans Affairs IG nominee Cheryl Mason, who was a senior advisor to VA Secretary Doug Collins, said she wasn’t involved in any decisions at the department.
Watchdog says VA isn’t keeping close enough tabs on retention bonuses
While department officials blamed an overhaul to human resources processes for the errors, the inspector general noted that auditors have previously warned about similar issues.
Education Department is stonewalling inspector general investigation into staff cuts, Democrats allege
The department’s inspector general informed congressional leaders that officials weren’t turning over requested information and are putting conditions on interviews with staff.
Potential shortcomings in USAID–State Department merger plan raise concerns
The inspector general found that the new hiring numbers aren’t based on any workforce strategy, the realignment implementation plan isn’t finished and the agency team overseeing the transfer is set to disband.
