Oversight
Republican Senator Holds Up Nominations While Awaiting IG Firing Explanations
The positions now in limbo are National Counterterrorism Center director and State Department undersecretary for arms control and international security.
Oversight
Legislation Seeks to Increase Transparency and Strengthen Congress’ Role in Federal Spending
Both parties have “encroached on the power of the purse,” said one senator, but “this has been acutely true under this administration.”
Oversight
Labor Dept IG Steps Down Following Pandemic Relief Fund Fraud Warning
“This decision has been long in the works and is for entirely personal reasons. I have not been told or asked to resign,” Scott Dahl said.
Oversight
Senate Confirms Brian Miller to Be Pandemic Inspector General
The Senate voted 51-40 in favor of putting the White House lawyer and former GSA watchdog in charge of ensuring relief funds are not misspent.
Oversight
Senators Ask Labor Inspector General for Review of OSHA’s Work During the Coronavirus Pandemic
“Federal workers and the American people deserve better,” said a watchdog organization.
Oversight
House Democrats Demand Trump Administration Stop Rushing Through Deportations of Migrant Children
Democratic congressional leaders expressed alarm at the sudden acceleration and requested the government “cease this practice immediately.”
Oversight
Democratic Congressman Calls for Probe Into Former White House Official’s $3 Million Mask Deal
Trump’s former deputy chief of staff won a $3 million federal contract just days after registering his company. He delivered masks to Navajo hospitals that may not work. Rep. Gerry Connolly asked the HHS inspector general’s office to look into it.
Oversight
Acting HHS Inspector General Outlines Plan To Review the Coronavirus Response
Christi Grimm says the president’s rebuke of a report from her office will not have a chilling effect on her work.
Oversight
Bill Barr Promised to Release Prisoners Threatened by Coronavirus — Even as the Feds Secretly Made It Harder for Them to Get Out
Celebrity prisoners like former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort have been granted home detention, but a secret Bureau of Prisons policy has kept all but 1.8% of federal inmates behind bars, where the virus rages.
Oversight
Analysis: Congress May Not Like It When Trump Fires An Inspector General – But It Can’t Do Anything To Stop Him
President Trump isn't the first president to get rid of inspectors general. He is the first to assert that inspectors general investigations into his administration's actions are unconstitutional.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Inspectors General, Conflict of Interests and the Administration
CREW's Donald K. Sherman joins the podcast to discussion the current state of oversight and conflicts of interest.
Oversight
Senators Make Bipartisan Push to Expedite Hiring for Workers to Oversee Pandemic Response
Measure would ensure special investigator has proper resources in light of Trump's recent IG firing spree, senator says.
Oversight
Wedding Planner, Caterer, 'Brand Builder': Trump’s Food Aid Program Is Paying $100+ Million to Unlicensed Dealers
Contractors with no experience in food distribution are looking for suppliers on Facebook while some food banks scramble to find desperately needed deliveries.
Oversight
Lawmakers Press GSA on Trump Hotel’s Request for Financial Relief During Pandemic
This comes as a federal appeals court revives an Emoluments Clause lawsuit involving the hotel.
Oversight
Another Private Jet Company Owned by a Trump Donor Got a Bailout — This One for $20 Million
The two private jet companies are among the first 96 airline companies disclosed as recipients of taxpayer funds under the CARES Act.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Inspectors General and Oversight In the Trump Administration
Katherine McIntire Peters and Courtney Bublé join the podcast to discuss the president's letter stating that he will remove State Department Inspector General Steve Linick from his job.
Oversight
Trump’s Decision to Fire the State Department’s Watchdog Draws Bipartisan Concern on Capitol Hill
Some Republicans say the president failed to provide an adequate justification to Congress.
Oversight
State and Federal Data on COVID-19 Testing Don’t Match Up
The CDC has quietly started releasing nationwide numbers. But they contradict what states themselves are reporting.
Oversight
Lawmakers Press the Trump Administration for More Transparency on Coronavirus Drug Distribution
Inquiry comes after reports of a chaotic initial rollout.
Oversight