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
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.
Management
Finally With a Quorum, Federal Election Commission Faces ‘Extensive Backlog of Cases’
The nation’s campaign finance watchdog gets back to work after being hamstrung the last eight and a half months.
Defense
Senate Intel Panel Advances Ratcliffe Nomination In Party-Line Vote
The former Texas prosecutor is a deeply controversial pick for the nation’s top spy.
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.
Defense
Fired State IG Was Investigating Saudi Arms Sale
A key House Democrat says that might be why he was fired.
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.
Management
Trump Administration Details Efforts to Support Peaceful Presidential Transition
Watchdog group points to “significant ethics problems” among some of the White House Transition Coordinating Council members.
Oversight
Lawmakers Press the Trump Administration for More Transparency on Coronavirus Drug Distribution
Inquiry comes after reports of a chaotic initial rollout.
Oversight
GOP-Led Committee Advances Nomination of Special Pandemic Recovery IG
Meanwhile, Democrats unleash a slew of proposals related to strengthening IGs and protecting their independence.
Pay & Benefits
House Democrats Urge Leadership to Begin Paid Parental Leave for Feds Early
A group of 12 lawmakers said the new benefit for federal workers, currently slated for implementation in October, should apply retroactively to December.
Management
Good Government Groups Are Skeptical of Republican FEC Nominee
A Senate committee voted along party lines to advance the nomination of Trey Trainor to the agency that enforces campaign finance laws.
Defense
Trump's Intelligence-Chief Nominee Vows to 'Speak Truth to Power'
GOP lawmakers are seeking to speed up Rep. John Ratcliffe’s nomination, but his careful answers did not appear to satisfy skeptics.
Management
Legislation Would Designate a Civilian Official to Oversee Acquisition of Medical Supplies, Bolster Transparency
Process of getting equipment to front-line workers during the coronavirus pandemic has been “absolute chaos” so far, bill sponsor says.
Defense
Pentagon's 'Willingness to Kiss the President's Ass' Worries Top Lawmaker
"I am worried about a culture developing," says House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., after the latest delay in Navy captain’s fate.
Oversight
Did He Talk About Her? VA Secretary Changes His Story Amid Allegations He Sought Dirt on House Staffer.
Robert Wilkie is under investigation after a complaint that he sought information to discredit a House staffer who said she was sexually assaulted in a VA hospital. Wilkie denied discussing her with Rep. Dan Crenshaw. But an email indicates he did.
Oversight
House Approves Creation of a Select Panel to Oversee Pandemic-Related Spending and Response
Critics have said the committee will be duplicative, but one transparency expert said that "overlapping oversight jurisdictions can be a good thing if managed correctly."
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Removing Barriers to Innovation in COVID-19 Legislation
Stan Soloway joined the podcast to explain how the pandemic is an opportunity for legislation modernizing some aspects of government.
Workforce