Oversight in your inbox
Weekly newsletter and updates
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.
-
Analysis
Open Government Closed, Watchdogs Shut Out
As the federal government shuts down, so do the watchdogs responsible for keeping our government open and accountable.
-
Analysis
Impact of Government Shutdown Continues to Grow
As the government shutdown continues, its impact goes far beyond the furloughed federal workers.
-
AnalysisInteresting Findings in the DOD IG’s F-35 Report
Unfortunately, the report makes for painfully dry reading. As is the case with many GAO reports, some of the DOD IG's gems are buried in the appendices or left to the reader to deduce. The "Results in Brief" give a reasonably good and concise account of what the re...
-
Analysis
The ATF Loses 2.1 Million Cartons of Cigarettes and Other Wasteful Mistakes
A 68-page audit of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) released yesterday revealed some startling examples of wasteful spending and face-palm worthy screw-ups, like when federal agents misplaced 2.1 million cartons of cigarettes, with a retail of more...
-
Analysis
In Midst of Government Secrecy, a National Plan for Openness
As the Administration drafts its second National Action Plan for open government, civil society weighs in.
-
Analysis
SEC Recusals Highlight Revolving Door Dangers
Prior work of SEC Commissioners creates conflicts of interest in settlement deals, confirming concerns about the revolving door system.
-
AnalysisAir Force Brass Ignores War’s Lessons to Wipe Out A-10s
The Air Force is so blinded by the allure of the multi-mission F-35 that it cannot, or will not, understand the nature of close air support (CAS) on today’s battlefield; how very close our young troops are to the enemy and the special equipment, controllers, and pilots it take...
-
Analysis
The Uranium Processing Fiasco
The Energy Department and National Nuclear Security Administration have birthed another boondoggle—a Uranium Processing Facility projected to run billions of dollars over budget and 20 years behind schedule. It’s long past time to see if there isn’t a better solution.
-
Analysis
Nearly Half of Fortune 500 Gets the (Small) Business
The American Small Business League (ASBL) found that 235 of the Fortune 500 companies received hundreds of millions of dollars in federal small business contracts in 2012 and 2013.
-
Analysis
U.S. Seeks to Join International Transparency Initiative
In early 2014, the U.S. will submit its application to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a 39-country standard intended to increase the amount of information drilling and mining industries make available to the public.
-
Analysis
New Declassification Board Member Has Long Classification Past
Last week, Kenneth L. Wainstein was quietly named to the Public Interest Declassification Board. Wainstein is not the first person you might think of with an interest in promoting government transparency. In fact, his work experience suggests a serious conflict of interest.
-
Analysis
SEC Continues Fight Over ‘No Admit No Deny’ Policy
The Securities and Exchange Commission continues to implement and debate its policy that allows companies to avoid admission of guilt, despite announcements that seemed to signal a potential shift.