DHS Watchdog Repeatedly Misled Congress, Federal Probe Finds.

2023-24 Congressional Training Program Schedule

Trainings

Congressional Training Program schedule for the 118th Congress, covering all the essential aspects of Congressional oversight and investigations

We’re excited to share the schedule with you for our Congressional Training Program for the 118th Congress. This curriculum covers all the essential aspects of Congressional oversight and investigations.

Sessions are open for RSVP typically two weeks prior to the event. 

2024 Schedule

  • February 2, 2024

    Working with the Media on Oversight & Investigations

    The media can bring attention and public outrage to your investigation. They can also ignore it. Learn how to work effectively with the news media during and after your investigation.

    RECORDING

  • March 15, 2024

    How to: Conduct Oversight from a Minority Office

    Trying to get answers when you don’t have a gavel can be hard. While "hard" formal investigative powers — such as subpoenas, depositions, ​hearings, and contempt proceedings may not be available — they are not the only tools at your disposal. Learn how to get creative with new partners and new approaches.

    RECORDING

  • April 5, 2024

    Better Prevention of Waste and Fraud in Emergency Spending: Lessons Learned from Pandemic Programs

    Delve into the lessons learned from overseeing COVID spending, including the monitoring the allocation and utilization of funds, and the current state of spending oversight at the federal level. Understand the challenges faced, successful strategies employed, and the ongoing efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in federal spending practices. Hear from former government officials who directly managed spending oversight efforts.

    RSVP HERE

  • May 31, 2024

    How to: Conduct Oversight from a Personal Office

    Trying to get answers when you don’t have a gavel can be hard. While "hard" formal investigative powers — such as subpoenas, depositions, ​hearings, and contempt proceedings may not be available — they are not the only tools at your disposal. Learn how to get creative with new partners and new approaches.

    RECORDING

  • June 21, 2024

    Issue Focus: Finding Waste at Your Agency

    Federal misspending costs taxpayers billions of dollars each year—it’s an issue nearly every member (and voter) can appreciate. Learn how to spot potentially wasteful spending, get the facts, and call it out.

    RSVP HERE

  • September 13, 2024

    Working with Agency & Industry Counsel on Oversight & Investigations

    The relationship between investigators and the subject of their scrutiny can be fraught and tense. But in some cases, they can help your effort. Learn how—and when—to work cooperatively with investigative subjects to achieve your goals.

    RECORDING

  • October 18, 2024

    Understanding Agency Objections: From Deliberative Process to Legislative Purpose

    Agencies can give many excuses for declining to cooperate with a congressional request. Which are valid and which aren’t? Learn when to listen and when to push back—and get the information your investigation needs.

  • November 8, 2024

    Issue Focus: Overseeing Agency Cybersecurity

    A data breach or hack can devastate an agency’s ability to succeed. Every agency grapples with cybersecurity—and few manage it well. Learn how to assess an agency’s cybersecurity and ask the right questions.

2023 Schedule

  • January 13, 2023

    Oversight and Investigations: What it Means and How to Make it Work

    An introduction to oversight, this session covers the constitutional basis for congressional oversight, how oversight is an essential part of legislating, and how to get started.
     

    RECORDING

  • February 10, 2023

    Making the Most of Your Resources: Working with CRS

    How to use the knowledge and resources of the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Congress’s shared research and analysis division, to boost your oversight and accountability efforts.

  • March 17, 2023

    Making the Most of Your Resources: Working with GAO

    How to improve your oversight by calling on the experts and expertise of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent, nonpartisan agency that supports Congress.
     

    RECORDING

  • April 14, 2023

    Making the Most of Your Resources: Working with Inspectors General

    Inspectors general (IGs) are independent watchdogs within federal agencies and are essential to a well-functioning federal government. They’re also great allies for your oversight work. Find out more about IGs, what they do, and how to leverage their expertise and mission for your oversight work.

    RECORDING

  • May 12, 2023

    How to: Write a Request Letter

    Correspondence from congressional offices asking for records or interviews are the building blocks of oversight. Learn how to write good request letters—and how to get them answered.

     

    RECORDING

  • June 9, 2023

    How to: Plan a Hearing 

    Hearings can be dramatic, high-profile events that drive change—or frustrating and pointless wastes of time. Learn how to make oversight hearings sharper, more efficient, and more effective.

     

    RECORDING

  • September 22, 2023

    Working with Whistleblowers on Oversight & Investigations 

    Whistleblowers are vital information sources for congressional investigations, and they often risk major injury for coming forward: career implosion, retaliation, doxxing, online harassment, and worse. Learn how to work more safely and effectively with whistleblowers to advance your oversight efforts.

     

    RECORDING

  • October 13, 2023

    Issue Focus: Overseeing Agency Transparency (Cancelled)

    Trust fluctuates but where there's transparency there is integrity, and meaningful oversight. Learn the ins and outs of holding federal agencies accountable and transparent.

  • November 3, 2023

    Issue Focus: Making the Most of Your Resources: Databases and Other Sources

    Sometimes the information you need is just a few clicks away—if you only knew where to click. Learn about federal contracting databases and other tools to get the data you’re looking for quickly.

     

    RECORDING