Defense
The Worst Kind of Medical Debt
When treated at military hospitals, civilians can end up with tens of thousands of dollars in debt that the federal government relentlessly tries to collect.
Management
The Civil Servant Who Changes the Constitution
One federal employee will determine whether the ERA gets added to America’s founding document—the question is which authority he’ll turn to for guidance.
Oversight
These Emails Show a Trump Official Helping Her Former Chemical Industry Colleagues
A lobbyist turned senior Agriculture Department official repeatedly shared information with her former industry on policy and enforcement. “It’s highly inappropriate conduct,” said one ethics expert.
Oversight
Analysis: Can the Constitution Stop the Government from Lying to the Public?
When a person or agency backed by the power and resources of the government tells a lie, it sometimes causes harm that only the government can inflict.
Management
Trump Objects to Certain Transparency Requirements of 2020 Spending and Policy Bills
The provisions he opposes are for both public and classified matters.
Defense
The Lessons of the Afghanistan Papers
Americans need leaders who can tell them how and when they will decide to pull the plug.
Oversight
Analysis: Courts Have Avoided Refereeing Between Congress and the President, but Trump May Force Them to Wade In
President Trump refuses to provide information to lawmakers in the impeachment inquiry. But courts have been reluctant to take such cases for fear of upsetting the government's balance of power.
Management
The Trump Administration Gutted the Staff Overseeing $1 Billion in Aid to Iraq. A Watchdog Is Raising Red Flags.
A new report warns that USAID may not be able to effectively oversee $1.16 billion in foreign aid to Iraq — including to Christian groups Vice President Mike Pence’s office favored — after the administration cut much of its on-the-ground staff.
Oversight
Report: Trump Administration Has Made Significant Changes to LGBTQ Content on Federal Websites
Language, resources and content have been changed since January 2017.
Oversight
Viewpoint: The U.S. Government Has a Secrecy Problem
American officials classify too much information, from the trivial to the politically inconvenient. The overreliance on secrecy invites abuse.
Oversight
In Act of Defiance, FEC Chair Tweets Memo on Foreign Election Interference Over GOP Commissioner's Objections
Chairwoman Weintraub said a Republican commissioner last week blocked publication of the guidance in a weekly digest of FEC activities.
Oversight
Viewpoint: Trump’s Unprecedented Fight to Withhold Information
The 45th president has again set himself apart—this time by resisting congressional oversight to an unparalleled degree.
Oversight
Office of Legal Counsel Is Illegally Withholding Opinions from Public Scrutiny, Suit Alleges
Plaintiffs argue that 25-year-old documents are vital to understanding the Trump administration's decisions and should be made public under the 2016 FOIA reform.
Management
Trump Called Baltimore 'Vermin Infested' While the Federal Government Fails to Clean Up Rodents in Subsidized Housing
Baltimore’s public housing is among the most dilapidated and dangerous in the country — nearly half of complexes failed inspection — and Trump just spent a week attacking the city on Twitter.
Management
Social Security Administrator Institutes Partial Hiring Freeze
Unions say they have not been briefed on the measure, which applies to all headquarters components and regional offices.
Oversight
Lawmakers Seek to Bolster Public Records Law
A bipartisan bill would overrule a recent Supreme Court decision and reverse recent changes at EPA.
Management
Senate Panel Backs Bill Requiring Greater Transparency on Federal Spending
Goal is for taxpayers to have access to more information on where their money is going.
Oversight
Senators in Both Parties Object to FOIA Changes at EPA
A recent change in public information request regulations, effective immediately, vested more power in political appointees.
Management
National Archives Needs Better Handle on Agency Electronic Records, Says Watchdog
Challenges come from outdated technology, uncertain inventory of agencies.
Tech
State Department Faulted for Redoing Web Page Aimed at Helping Refugees
Spokesman says modernization effort merely relocated material tracked by transparency group.
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