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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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Analysis
SEC Issues $14 Million Whistleblower Reward
An unidentified tipster has received a $14 million federal reward for aiding an “enforcement action that recovered substantial investor funds,” according to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announcement last week.
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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.
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Analysis
Impact of Government Shutdown Continues to Grow
As the government shutdown continues, its impact goes far beyond the furloughed federal workers.
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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...
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Policy Letter
Transparency Groups Ask for Greater Accountability at OFAC
POGO joins OpenTheGovernment.org and other partners in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew urging him to adopt policies that would increase transparency and accountability at the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC).
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Policy Letter
POGO and Partners Ask Senate Committee to Make NSA Surveillance Proposal Public
POGO joins more than twenty groups in asking the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to release the text of its proposed NSA surveillance legislation before committee mark-up in the interest of transparency.
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Policy Letter
POGO Joins Over 50 Groups in Asking Congress to Support National Security Transparency
POGO joins more than 50 companies and nonprofit groups in voicing support for legislation in the House and Senate that would address government surveillance and increase national security transparency.
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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...
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Policy Letter
POGO and Allies Urge Senate to Uphold Transparency Measures
As the Senate considers legislation to codify the U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreement, POGO and other member organizations of the Publish What You Pay Coalition, express their appreciation that the Senate bill only includes essential provisions. By contrast, the Ho...