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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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Policy Letter
A 2012 Open Letter to the Senate: Oppose the Anti-Speech Policy in the Intelligence Authorization Bill
Our undersigned groups are writing to oppose a troubling provision in the Intelligence Authorization for Fiscal Year 2013, which makes the unauthorized disclosure of any classified information a punishable offense, regardless of its public policy significance, and threatens fr...
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Analysis
Ex Lockheed Lobbyist Now in Key Defense Oversight Role
A former executive and lobbyist for defense contractor Lockheed Martin has been appointed to one of the most powerful posts on Capitol Hill overseeing the defense industry.
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Policy Letter
Groups Thank Reps. for Voting to Rein in Runaway Pentagon Spending
Our organizations write with sincere gratitude for your vote to approve the bipartisan amendment to freeze profligate Pentagon spending at Fiscal Year 2012 levels—a $1.1 billion reduction in what was originally proposed in the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2013. ...
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Policy Letter
Groups Thank Reps. for Leadership in Reining in Runaway Pentagon Spending
Our organizations write with sincere gratitude for your leadership in offering the amendment to freeze profligate Pentagon spending at Fiscal Year 2012 levels—a $1.1 billion reduction in what was originally proposed in the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2013. The ...
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Analysis
No Mention of Contractors, But Federal and Private Pay Differences Depend on Methodologies
Yesterday, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report entitled Results of Studies on Federal Pay Varied Due to Differing Methodologies (GAO-12-564).
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Policy Letter
POGO Opposes Self-Regulation for Swaps and Futures Markets
We appreciate your oversight of the federal agencies that regulate the swaps and futures markets, especially in light of the massive customer losses at MF Global and Peregrine Financial Group. As you explore opportunities for improving the regulation of these markets, we urge ...
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AnalysisHard of Hearing; Why the House’s attempt to save defense spending might flop
It was probably the most ballyhooed congressional hearing on defense for the year. As the monthly economic news continues to show poor job growth, and as the elections heat up, the Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Buck McKeon, and defense contractor L...
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Analysis
Buck’s Big Scare Hearing Goes Bust
Foreign Policy is running my description of the hearing that Buck McKeon put on yesterday with Lockheed-Martin and a cast of lesser, not entirely cooperative, other characters.
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Policy Letter
POGO Joins in Urging CFPB to Put More Consumer Complaints Online
We the undersigned consumer, civil rights, good government, and community groups, and members of Americans for Financial Reform (AFR), congratulate the Bureau on the inclusion of a public database as an integral part of the CFPB complaint process. This is a bold first step. We...
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Policy Letter
POGO and Allies Call for Sunlight on Contractor Campaign Spending
Our organizations write to you in strong support of the government contractor transparency amendment to H.R. 5856, sponsored by Reps. Keith Ellison (D-Minn) and Anna Eshoo (D-Cal.). “Pay-to-play” is the all-too-common practice of a business entity making campaign contribution...
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Policy Letter
An Open Letter to Congress in Support of Reining in Runaway Spending by the Pentagon
We, the undersigned organizations, strongly urge you to support the bipartisan amendment to freeze profligate Pentagon spending at Fiscal Year 2012 levels. Offered by Representatives Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) and Barney Frank (D-MA), this proposed amendment to the Defense Appropria...
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Policy Letter
POGO Urges House Subcommittee to Strengthen Independent Oversight of Nuke Weapons Labs
As the Subcommittee prepares to hold a hearing on the challenges facing the Department of Energy’s nuclear weapons complex, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) would like to draw your attention to a recent government report, the findings of which exemplify the need for ...