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Latest Policy Publications
POGO’s experts push policymakers to enact commonsense reforms that tackle waste, corruption, and abuse of power; hold those who’ve violated the public trust accountable; protect our constitutional rights; and make the government work for all people.
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AnalysisPresident Trump Terminates Wasteful Nuclear Facility in Budget Proposal
In an excellent move for taxpayers, President Trump has recommended ending funding for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MOX), a massively over-budget and unneeded nuclear construction project.
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AnalysisPondering Memorial Days, Past and Present
Why do fewer KIAs seem to make each one more important?
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AnalysisWhat to Look For Next: Leak Investigations and More Attacks on the Press
The administration has signaled it wants to aggressively go after the press and its sources. Congress should push back on attacks on the First Amendment.
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AnalysisNew Public Accountability on Ethics Agreements
The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) established a new certification that tracks presidential appointees’ ethics compliance, which will be posted online. The move should create greater accountability when it comes to appointees’ ethics commitments.
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Testimony
POGO Testimony on VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act
POGO commends the accountability and reporting mechanisms included in the creation of the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection in this bipartisan legislation.
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AnalysisWatchdog Finds DoD Must Improve Contractor Performance Monitoring
According to the Department of Defense Inspector General, Department agencies are not consistently tracking the performance of contractors, putting billions of taxpayer dollars at increased risk of fraud, waste, and other misconduct.
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AnalysisIn Push for FBI Director James Comey’s Trump Memos, Congress Must Protect Whistleblowers
News reports that FBI Director James Comey documented President Trump's attempt to improperly influence FBI investigations raise serious concerns about the President and the rule of law.
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Policy Letter
POGO Supports Bill to Codify Appointee Ethics Pledges
POGO supports Rep. Huffman's "Executive Appointee Ethics Improvement Act". This bill will codify many of the best practices from the ethics executive orders implemented by Presidents Trump, Obama, and Clinton. Those orders had strong provisions extending bans on lobb...
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Analysis
Fact Sheet: Foreign Lobbying Reform
The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) requires American lobbyists representing foreign governments or political parties to register their activities with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and submit regular documentation describing their activities. A
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Policy Letter
Groups Call on Deputy AG to Promptly Appoint a Special Counsel to Handle Russia Investigation
24 groups and individuals are deeply concerned about the actions taken this week by President Trump in firing FBI Director Comey at a time when the FBI's investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election is reaching a critical stage. With the integrity a...
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AnalysisHealth and Human Services Illegally Gags Its Employees from Communicating With Congress
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a memorandum to its employees on May 3, 2017, that gags them from speaking with Congress and thus violates the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012. The memorandum was made public today by Senator Charles Gra...