Oversight
Top Oversight Democrat says he’s open to collaborate with the DOGE
The new Department of Government Efficiency — which, despite the “department” referenced in its name, is an advisory effort, not a government department — has aims to trim the federal workforce and hunt efficiencies in tech and fraud reduction efforts.
Advanced health research agency needs a strategic workforce plan, watchdog says
The GAO report also found ARPA-H, as of July 1, 2024, has not hired any scientists who are Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander or two or more races.
Energy Dept. watchdog reports that travel expense violations in secretary’s criticized EV road trip caused by lack of oversight and knowledge
House Republicans blasted the trip as “ripe with waste, fraud and abuse,” but the report found that some of the violations cost the federal government less than $100.
Coast Guard is resisting oversight of mishandled sexual misconduct cases, lawmakers say
Congressional inquires were spurred by revelations that the Coast Guard did not disclose an investigation into possible sexual assaults at its service academy.
Two senior executives receive unpaid suspensions for unlawful hiring practices
While one of the executives currently works for a different agency with a new position, they will still be disciplined, OSC officials said.
CBP chief medical official moved months after whistleblower complaints
Whistleblowers accused Dr. Alexander Eastman of creating a hostile work environment, among other allegations.
Fed employee advocate Connolly to lead Democrats on House Oversight Committee
The Virginia Democrat could be a leading opponent to Trump’s plans for overhauling the civil service.
Legislation to promote better federal building security set to be signed into law
Multiple watchdogs have recently criticized the effectiveness of security at government facilities.
3 key findings on the Trump assassination attempt in Butler, Pa.
The congressional panel investigating assassination attempts on Donald Trump issued its final report this week.
OSC questions agencies’ findings from a pair of whistleblower investigations
A CBP whistleblower alleged officials stopped an air unit from performing potentially life-saving missions, while an individual from the FAA accused officials at Detroit’s airport of inadequately safeguarding landings.
Despite critical report, Biden hasn’t taken disciplinary action against DHS watchdog
It’s been about two months since an oversight committee substantiated allegations that DHS inspector general Joseph Cuffari abused his authority, with no word of potential White House action.
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GAO saved the federal government $67.5 billion in fiscal 2024
The watchdog’s open recommendations could be a foundation for the new Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Marjorie Taylor Greene to head new government efficiency subcommittee
The panel will work closely with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s advisory Department of Government Efficiency.
Senators call for watchdog to investigate TSA’s use of facial recognition
In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General, 12 senators warned that the deployment of facial biometrics at every U.S. airport could create “one of the largest federal surveillance databases overnight without authorization from Congress.”
Intelligence IGs head for the exit before Trump’s return
Trump fired five inspectors general during his first administration.
Senator wants info on inspectors general office sexual harassment settlements
Grassley wrote that whistleblowers informed his office that the financial agreements required complainants to sign non-disclosure agreements.
FEMA chief calls passing over of Trump supporters isolated incident, requests wider probe
One FEMA supervisor has been fired for directing staff to skip Trump-supporting homes, but administrator says there is so far no evidence of a more widespread issue.
Oversight of contract security guards at federal buildings is lacking, OIG says
In one notable example from a recent report, a guard at a federal facility told a visitor to place their firearm in a bush to access the building.
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Senior White House official violated the Hatch Act, OSC says
A filing with the Merit Systems Protection Board alleges that Biden’s domestic policy advisor shared fundraising messages for Democratic political candidates on social media.
GAO: Agency HR offices need better communication with officials in remote posts
Federal officials in Alaska, Hawaii and the United States’ various offshore territories said they struggle to combat high attrition at federal jobs in the non-contiguous U.S., despite some agencies’ efforts.
