Government Executive - Oversighthttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/Dispatches from Capitol Hill and the executive branchen-usFri, 17 May 2013 15:13:44 -0400Rep. Issa Subpoenas Ambassador Pickering to Testify on Benghazi Reporthttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/rep-issa-subpoenas-ambassador-pickering-testify-benghazi-report/63254/House Oversight chairman calls refusal to meet privately ‘inconsistent’ with transparency.Charles S. ClarkFri, 17 May 2013 15:13:44 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/rep-issa-subpoenas-ambassador-pickering-testify-benghazi-report/63254/OversightRetired Ambassador Thomas PickeringManuel Balce Ceneta/AP File PhotoDemocratic Lawmakers Stand Up for IRS Workershttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/democratic-lawmakers-stand-irs-workers/63246/Congressmen want to weed out the bad eggs to restore faith in the agency.Eric KatzFri, 17 May 2013 13:35:08 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/democratic-lawmakers-stand-irs-workers/63246/OversightRep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., says most IRS workers are good people and have tough jobs. Charles Dharapak/APAnalysis: You Know What Really Risks National Security? Leak Investigationshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/analysis-you-know-what-really-risks-national-security-leak-investigations/63241/What's the concern, plugging leaks or managing spin?Ron Fournier, National JournalFri, 17 May 2013 12:27:02 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/analysis-you-know-what-really-risks-national-security-leak-investigations/63241/OversightPlay of the Day: The Salad of Obama Scandalshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/play-day-salad-obama-scandals/63235/A very difficult week continues for the White House.Ross GianfortuneFri, 17 May 2013 09:25:42 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/play-day-salad-obama-scandals/63235/OversightComedy CentralAnalysis: How the White House Scandals Could Hurt Republicans, Toohttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/analysis-how-white-house-scandals-could-hurt-republicans-too/63229/The IRS and Benghazi affairs threaten the GOP's shot at the presidency.Ronald Brownstein, National JournalThu, 16 May 2013 16:49:30 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/analysis-how-white-house-scandals-could-hurt-republicans-too/63229/OversightPablo Martinez Monsivais/APWhy the IRS Scandal May Be More Politically Potent Than Benghazihttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/why-republicans-think-irs-scandal-more-politically-potent-benghazi/63213/Many Americans can’t even place Benghazi on a map but already dislike IRS.Elahe Izadi, National JournalThu, 16 May 2013 14:08:41 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/why-republicans-think-irs-scandal-more-politically-potent-benghazi/63213/OversightPanel Approves EPA Nominee Along Party Lineshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/panel-approves-epa-nominee-along-party-lines/63212/Full Senate confirmation of Gina McCarthy is not yet assured.Coral Davenport, National JournalThu, 16 May 2013 13:59:07 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/panel-approves-epa-nominee-along-party-lines/63212/OversightGina McCarthy, President Obama's nomination to head the EPAAlex Brandon/APThe Justice Department Did Not Wiretap the House Cloakroomhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/justice-department-did-not-wiretap-house-cloakroom/63205/Rep. Devin Nunes of California dropped an explosive allegation -- an almost certainly incorrect one.Philip Bump, Atlantic WireThu, 16 May 2013 12:33:35 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/justice-department-did-not-wiretap-house-cloakroom/63205/OversightRep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., right, stands for a ceremonial photo with Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio.J. Scott Applewhite/APPlay of the Day: Is Obama Nixonian?http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/play-day-obama-nixonian/63202/On the anniversary of the Watergate hearings, late-night comedy examines the triumvirate of White House scandals.Ross GianfortuneThu, 16 May 2013 09:34:17 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/play-day-obama-nixonian/63202/OversightComedy CentralActing IRS Commissioner Resigns Amidst Scandalhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/irs-commissioner-forced-out-scandal/63199/President calls conduct by agency officials in targeting conservative groups for special scrutiny "inexcusable."Wed, 15 May 2013 18:48:46 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/irs-commissioner-forced-out-scandal/63199/OversightC-SPANEric Holder Offers Little Information, Much Ire for Republicanshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/eric-holder-offers-little-information-much-ire-republicans/63196/Hearing did little to diffuse tensions with the GOP or contain the growing grassfire of scandalsShane Goldmacher, National JournalWed, 15 May 2013 18:07:10 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/eric-holder-offers-little-information-much-ire-republicans/63196/Oversight Attorney General Calls Lawmaker 'Unacceptable and Shameful'http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/attorney-general-calls-lawmaker-unacceptable-and-shameful/63191/This much is clear: Eric Holder and Rep. Darrell Issa do not like each other.Shane Goldmacher, National JournalWed, 15 May 2013 17:15:38 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/attorney-general-calls-lawmaker-unacceptable-and-shameful/63191/OversightRep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., told Holder, "I need a yes or a no before you go into the long dialogue, otherwise I'm wasting my time."Carolyn Kaster/APA Fresh Look at Sequester Harms From House Democratshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/house-democrats-issue-new-tally-sequester-harms/63181/Appropriators warn of long-term shortfalls in airport modernization, Coast Guard training, food inspection.Charles S. ClarkWed, 15 May 2013 17:03:34 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/house-democrats-issue-new-tally-sequester-harms/63181/OversightRep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, was among those signing the letter.Ron Edmonds/AP file photoPlay of the Day: A Bad Week for the White Househttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/play-day-bad-week-white-house/63173/The Obama administration scandals are too much for hosts.Ross GianfortuneWed, 15 May 2013 10:36:36 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/play-day-bad-week-white-house/63173/OversightCBSEric Holder in the Hot Seat as Lawmakers Probe Scandalshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/eric-holder-hot-seat-lawmakers-probe-scandals/63171/Wednesday hearing promises a fireworks show unlike any seen in this Congress so far.Rebecca Kaplan and Kristin Roberts, National JournalWed, 15 May 2013 09:18:41 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/eric-holder-hot-seat-lawmakers-probe-scandals/63171/OversightAPAnalysis: Hillary Clinton Has the Most to Lose From Obama's Scandalshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/analysis-hillary-clinton-has-most-lose-obamas-scandals/63170/She'll have trouble distancing herself if his political standing worsens.Josh Kraushaar, National JournalWed, 15 May 2013 09:06:53 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/analysis-hillary-clinton-has-most-lose-obamas-scandals/63170/OversightPablo Martinez Monsivais/APReport Details IRS Targeting of Conservative Groups, Calls for Reformshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/report-details-targeting-conservative-groups-calls-reforms/63167/President Obama calls actions "intolerable and inexcusable."Philip Bump, Atlantic WireTue, 14 May 2013 21:03:59 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/report-details-targeting-conservative-groups-calls-reforms/63167/OversightWhite House Email Raises Questions on Benghazi Leak Motiveshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/white-house-email-raises-questions-benghazi-leak-motives/63161/CNN's Jake Tapper got a complete copy of an email cited by ABC which shows that the latter's excerpt misrepresents the concerns of Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes.Philip Bump, Atlantic WireTue, 14 May 2013 15:56:24 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/white-house-email-raises-questions-benghazi-leak-motives/63161/OversightOrhan Cam/Shutterstock.comPlay of the Day: The Tea Party's Taxeshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/play-day-tea-partys-taxes/63157/The IRS scandal shows what government can do when its puts its mind to something.Ross GianfortuneTue, 14 May 2013 14:33:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/play-day-tea-partys-taxes/63157/OversightComedy CentralA Guide to the IRS Scandal—What Happened and When Did It Happen?http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/guide-irs-scandalwhat-happened-and-when-did-it-happen/63145/New details are raising questions about the timing of revelations that the agency targeted conservative groups.Michael Catalini, National JournalTue, 14 May 2013 09:48:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/guide-irs-scandalwhat-happened-and-when-did-it-happen/63145/OversightWhy the AP Phone Records Bombshell Could Threaten Eric Holder's Jobhttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/why-ap-phone-records-bombshell-could-threaten-eric-holders-job/63144/If Obama wants a high-level symbol of accountability, the attorney general is the only one left standing.Jill Lawrence, National JournalTue, 14 May 2013 09:24:34 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/why-ap-phone-records-bombshell-could-threaten-eric-holders-job/63144/OversightAttorney General Eric Holder testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, on April 18, 2013.Molly Riley/APVirginia Means More Than South Carolinahttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/on-politics/2013/05/virginia-much-more-important-south-carolina/63131/Forget Mark Sanford’s win in the Palmetto State. The race to watch this year is Virginia’s gubernatorial contest.Charlie Cook, National JournalMon, 13 May 2013 17:01:06 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/on-politics/2013/05/virginia-much-more-important-south-carolina/63131/Oversight - On PoliticsObama Says GOP Playing 'Political Games' on Benghazi Attackshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/obama-accuses-gop-playing-political-games-benghazi-attacks/63139/Republicans say Obama didn't send military backup when it was requested.Rachel Oswald, Global Security NewswireMon, 13 May 2013 15:27:36 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/obama-accuses-gop-playing-political-games-benghazi-attacks/63139/OversightObama Says He Won’t 'Tolerate' Wrongdoing at IRShttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/obama-says-he-wont-tolerate-wrongdoing-irs/63137/President will hold employees accountable if they intentionally targeted political groups.Kellie LunneyMon, 13 May 2013 13:42:50 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/obama-says-he-wont-tolerate-wrongdoing-irs/63137/OversightPablo Martinez Monsivais/APPlay of the Day: The Purpose of the Benghazi Hearingshttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/play-day-purpose-benghazi-hearings/63119/Saturday Night Live ponders the meaning of the investigation.Ross GianfortuneMon, 13 May 2013 07:18:53 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2013/05/play-day-purpose-benghazi-hearings/63119/OversightNBC