Oversight

Trump’s Nominee for Pandemic Recovery IG Draws Mixed Reviews Following Confirmation Hearing

Brian Miller is currently special assistant and senior associate counsel in the Office of White House Counsel.

Oversight

Trump Intends to Nominate an Assistant U.S. Attorney to be HHS Inspector General 

The acting HHS watchdog recently came under fire for a report on medical equipment shortages during the pandemic. 

Oversight

IG Veteran Named Executive Director of Pandemic Oversight Committee 

The $2.2 trillion CARES Act established the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee. 

Oversight

Proposed Legislation Seeks to Protect Inspectors General From Political Firings

Bill would establish seven-year terms and only allow “for cause” removals. 

Management

GovExec Daily: The Role of Inspectors General in the Trump Era

The Project On Government Oversight's Liz Hempowicz joins the podcast to examine what Michael Atkinson's firing could mean for oversight.

Oversight

Trump Removes Acting Pentagon IG Slated to Lead Pandemic Oversight

Only current IGs may serve in the new position created by Congress to oversee the government's coronavirus relief effort.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: Oversight of the Stimulus Plan

IBM Center for the Business of Government Senior Fellow John Kamensky joins the podcast to discuss the accountability provisions in the CARES Act

Oversight

Trump Fires Intel IG, Taps White House Confidant for Pandemic Oversight Role

The president’s moves late Friday night underscore the vital role inspectors general play as agencies grapple with pandemic response and unprecedented federal spending.

Oversight

Trump Objects to Pandemic Spending Oversight, But Congress and IGs Still Have Authority

“Signing statements by themselves do not really do anything,” said one expert.

Oversight

Watchdog: Poor Communication Left HHS Ill-Equipped to Handle Family Separation Policy 

Leaders ignored warnings from career staff that would have helped them better care for an influx of children, IG found.  

Oversight

IG Flags Food Safety Concerns at Federal Prisons

The Bureau of Prisons does not have a protocol to “ensure its food supply is safe and meets contractual requirements.”

Oversight

Senate Democrats Call on Justice Dept. IG to Investigate Political Interference

Meddling by the Trump administration could “permanently damage the integrity and independence” of the department, they wrote. 

Oversight

Watchdog: EPA Needs to Improve Management of Environmental Program Along the U.S.-Mexico Border 

Documentation of progress was “frequently unreliable” and program information was “neither transparent nor accessible,” said the report.

Oversight

Watchdog Finds Serious Staffing and Leadership Problems at State Department

Officials still feel the ramifications of the Trump administration’s 16-month hiring freeze.

Oversight

IG Council Launches Online Tracker to Draw Attention to Vacancies

New tool is part of a series of reforms to Oversight.gov. 

Oversight

EPA Could Save Taxpayers Thousands of Dollars Through Stronger Oversight of Mobile Phones

The agency “missed an opportunity” to better use $12,000 spent over two years on unnecessary voice and data services, watchdog finds.

Oversight

Watchdog: High Risk of Improper Payments with State Dept. Purchase Cards

In 2018, more than 2,250 department card holders made purchases totaling $109.5 million.

Oversight

Watchdog: OPM is At Risk of Not Being Able to Restore IT Systems Post-Disaster 

The massive 2015 data breaches that exposed personal information of current and former federal employees are the subject of an ongoing lawsuit. 

Oversight

Watchdog Concludes Defense Appointee Sexually Harassed Employees

Guy Roberts, former assistant secretary of Defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs, hugged, touched and made sexual comments toward several women, the Pentagon inspector general found.

Oversight

Defense IG Will Review Recent $400 Million Border Wall Contract

Key House lawmaker asked for the review, citing possible improper influence by the Trump administration.