Government Executive - Oversighthttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/Dispatches from Capitol Hill and the executive branchen-usTue, 18 Jun 2013 17:23:00 -0400After an Easy Hearing, the NSA and FBI Are Ready for a Drinkhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/after-easy-hearing-nsa-and-fbi-are-ready-drink/65138/Post-hearing exchange caught on mic.Philip Bump, Atlantic WireTue, 18 Jun 2013 17:23:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/after-easy-hearing-nsa-and-fbi-are-ready-drink/65138/OversightPlay of the Day: Farewell, Ahmadinejadhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-farewell-ahmadinejad/65057/The Iranian president is term-limited out and David Letterman is curious about what is next.Ross GianfortuneTue, 18 Jun 2013 08:39:54 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-farewell-ahmadinejad/65057/OversightComedy CentralFederal Employees Increasingly Under Attack on Public Lands http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/federal-employees-increasingly-under-attack-public-lands/65024/Park Police report 43 percent rise in violent attacks in 2012.Kedar PavgiMon, 17 Jun 2013 14:59:47 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/federal-employees-increasingly-under-attack-public-lands/65024/OversightA National Park ranger stands near a giant U.S. flag over the processional route before a memorial service for Mount Rainier National Park Ranger Margaret Anderson on Jan. 10, 2012.Elaine Thompson/APWhy Obama’s Approval Rating Isn’t Higherhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/on-politics/2013/06/why-obamas-approval-rating-isnt-higher/65021/Controversies could prevent him from getting credit for the improving economy.Charlie Cook, National JournalMon, 17 Jun 2013 14:50:49 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/on-politics/2013/06/why-obamas-approval-rating-isnt-higher/65021/Oversight - On PoliticsIRS Supervisor Clarifies Washington Role in Tax-Exempt Targetinghttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/irs-supervisor-clarifies-washington-role-tax-exempt-targeting/65006/Paz tells Hill investigators she scrutinized some applications.Charles S. ClarkMon, 17 Jun 2013 12:26:54 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/irs-supervisor-clarifies-washington-role-tax-exempt-targeting/65006/OversightSusan Walsh/AP file photoHouse Oversight Leader's Plan to Resuscitate the IRS Scandalhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/house-oversight-leaders-plan-resuscitate-irs-scandal/64997/Rep. Darrell Issa is committed to keeping the scandal in the spotlight.Philip Bump, Atlantic WireMon, 17 Jun 2013 11:50:34 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/house-oversight-leaders-plan-resuscitate-irs-scandal/64997/OversightHouse Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., right, talks with the committee's ranking Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md. Charles Dharapak/APIn Rare Interview, Cheney Champions NSA Surveillancehttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/rare-interview-cheney-champions-nsa-surveillance/64991/But he doesn't quite throw his support to President Obama.Matt Berman, National JournalMon, 17 Jun 2013 10:32:10 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/rare-interview-cheney-champions-nsa-surveillance/64991/OversightFormer Vice President Dick CheneyManuel Balce Ceneta/AP File PhotoObama's Approval Ratings Have Taken a Huge Hit After Scandalshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/obamas-approval-ratings-have-taken-huge-hit-after-scandals/64988/Numbers dip especially among young people and on handling of terrorism.Dashiell Bennett, Atlantic WireMon, 17 Jun 2013 09:31:07 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/obamas-approval-ratings-have-taken-huge-hit-after-scandals/64988/OversightBarack Obama walks outside the White House in June.Charles Dharapak/APAl Gore: NSA Surveillance 'Violates the Constitution'http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/al-gore-nsa-surveillance-violates-constitution/64982/Former vice president pushes President Obama and Congress to revisit the laws underlying the program.Matt Berman, National JournalMon, 17 Jun 2013 09:13:56 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/al-gore-nsa-surveillance-violates-constitution/64982/OversightSarah Scully/GovExec.comPlay of the Day: Obama, Clinton and Snowdenhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-obama-clinton-and-snowden/64979/The NSA leaker reminds Jimmy Fallon of a television advertising staple.Ross GianfortuneMon, 17 Jun 2013 07:29:38 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-obama-clinton-and-snowden/64979/OversightNBCBill Would Reverse Green Initiatives for New Federal Buildings http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/bill-would-reverse-green-initiatives-new-federal-buildings/64949/Lawmakers want to undo plans to reduce coal and natural gas consumption in federal government.Eric KatzFri, 14 Jun 2013 15:48:38 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/bill-would-reverse-green-initiatives-new-federal-buildings/64949/OversightThe provision called for a 55 percent reduction in usage of fossil fuels such as coal by 2010.bibiphoto/Shutterstock.comDaniel Ellsberg on the High Costs of Executive-Branch Secrecyhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/daniel-ellsberg-high-costs-executive-branch-secrecy/64913/The president and his underlings, "given a chance to paralyze opposition by practicing secrecy and deception, will use that power."Conor Friedersdorf, The AtlanticFri, 14 Jun 2013 12:58:23 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/daniel-ellsberg-high-costs-executive-branch-secrecy/64913/OversightVietnam-era whistleblower Daniel EllsbergSusan Walsh/AP File Photo You Are Going to Pay $100 Million for Obama's Trip to Africa http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/you-are-going-pay-100-million-obamas-trip-africa/64895/Vacation will require a Navy aircraft carrier, fighter jets, military cargo planes, three truck-loads of bulletproof glass, limos and security.Alexander Abad-Santos, Atlantic WireFri, 14 Jun 2013 09:47:51 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/you-are-going-pay-100-million-obamas-trip-africa/64895/OversightMarcio Jose Sanchez/APHow EPA Fights Climate Change Even When Congress Doesn’t Want It Tohttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/how-epa-fights-climate-change-even-when-congress-doesnt-want-it/64889/By suing the agency green advocates have compelled it to issue a raft of regulations.Coral Davenport, National JournalFri, 14 Jun 2013 09:26:47 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/how-epa-fights-climate-change-even-when-congress-doesnt-want-it/64889/OversightPlay of the Day: Obama Already Knows What He’s Getting For Father’s Dayhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-obama-already-knows-what-hes-getting-fathers-day-late-night-video/64886/Edward Snowden and the president continue to stay in comedians’ spotlight.Ross GianfortuneFri, 14 Jun 2013 09:23:16 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-obama-already-knows-what-hes-getting-fathers-day-late-night-video/64886/OversightWhite HouseHelp Sue the Government Over NSA Snooping, GOP Lawmaker Sayshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/help-sue-government-over-nsa-snooping-gop-lawmaker-says/64868/Rand Paul seeks 10 million Americans to join class action lawsuit.Kedar PavgiThu, 13 Jun 2013 17:10:30 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/help-sue-government-over-nsa-snooping-gop-lawmaker-says/64868/OversightSen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.Jacquelyn Martin/APHouse Oversight Chair Makes Another Attempt at Postal Overhaulhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/house-oversight-chair-makes-another-attempt-postal-overhaul/64862/Draft reform bill includes some concessions from a 2011 proposal.Eric KatzThu, 13 Jun 2013 16:45:26 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/house-oversight-chair-makes-another-attempt-postal-overhaul/64862/OversightDavid Goldman/APPlay of the Day: A Leaker, a Dancer and the American Publichttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-leaker-dancer-and-american-public/64808/More details continue to emerge about Edward Snowden’s life.Ross GianfortuneThu, 13 Jun 2013 09:23:44 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-leaker-dancer-and-american-public/64808/OversightTBSAnalysis: Why Democrats Are Afraid of Border Securityhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/analysis-why-democrats-are-afraid-border-security/64802/Lack of trust might doom immigration reform bill.Fawn Johnson, National JournalWed, 12 Jun 2013 17:31:10 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/analysis-why-democrats-are-afraid-border-security/64802/OversightRoss D. Franklin/AP file photoPlay of the Day: Hillary Clinton Joins Twitter. Will the NSA Surveil Her?http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-hillary-clinton-joins-twitter-will-nsa-surveil-her-late-night-video/64718/The PRISM program and the former Secretary of State are topics for jokes Tuesday.Ross GianfortuneWed, 12 Jun 2013 10:02:56 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-hillary-clinton-joins-twitter-will-nsa-surveil-her-late-night-video/64718/OversightKevin Lamarque/AP file photoArgo and a New Resolve to Hold Iran Accountable for 1979 Iran Hostage Crisishttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/argo-and-new-resolve-hold-iran-accountable-1979-iran-hostage-crisis/64709/Families make a united push for action in a Father's Day letter to senators.Jill Lawrence, National JournalWed, 12 Jun 2013 09:23:06 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/argo-and-new-resolve-hold-iran-accountable-1979-iran-hostage-crisis/64709/Oversight John Goodman, Alan Arkin, and Ben Affleck starred in the 2012 film.Warner Bros.Play of the Day: Good News! You’re Not Paranoid.http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-good-news-youre-not-paranoid-late-night-video/64643/With more news of the government surveillance, late-night hosts have plenty of jokes.Ross GianfortuneTue, 11 Jun 2013 10:04:38 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/play-day-good-news-youre-not-paranoid-late-night-video/64643/OversightComedy CentralCongress Ineffectively Oversees National Security, Insiders Sayhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/congress-ineffectively-oversees-national-security-insiders-say/64637/Only one-fourth in a National Journal survey felt lawmakers were effective checks.Sara Sorcher, National JournalTue, 11 Jun 2013 09:38:14 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/congress-ineffectively-oversees-national-security-insiders-say/64637/OversightMesut Dogan/Shutterstock.comGallup’s Open Bookhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/on-politics/2013/06/gallups-open-book/64589/Washington institutions not known for fessing up to their mistakes are demonstrating admirable introspection.Charlie Cook, National JournalTue, 11 Jun 2013 01:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/on-politics/2013/06/gallups-open-book/64589/Oversight - On PoliticsWas a U.S. Ambassador Really Soliciting Prostitutes, and Who Covered It Up?http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/was-us-ambassador-really-soliciting-prostitutes-and-who-covered-it/64586/Inspector General memo says an investigation may have been called off to protect reputationsDashiell Bennett, Atlantic WireMon, 10 Jun 2013 12:17:01 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/06/was-us-ambassador-really-soliciting-prostitutes-and-who-covered-it/64586/OversightSarah Scully/GovExec.com