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.
-
Policy Letter
POGO Urges Improved Public Access to Central Contractor Registration Database
The Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is an independent nonprofit organization committed to achieving a more accountable and transparent federal government. As an organization that heavily depends on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to perform its watchdog role, POGO...
-
Policy Letter
House Oversight Committee Should Commemorate the 45th Anniversary of FOIA by Passing the Faster FOIA Act
In recognition of the upcoming 45th anniversary on July 4th of the signing of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the undersigned organizations write to ask that you support and move forward the Faster FOIA Act, which would establish the Commission on Freedom of Information...
-
Analysis
Crime of the Century? Judge Approves $3.4 Billion Settlement for More Than 100 Years’ Worth of Bungled Royalty Payments to Native Americans
After 15 years of fighting, a judge has approved a $3.4 billion settlement for activist Elouise Cobell and others who joined in her class action suit to recoup billions of dollars owed to Native Americans in mineral royalties, grazing fees, and other revenues that were mishand...
-
Analysis
They Self-Fund Extra Engines, Don’t They?
The fight over the alternate engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has become the second great engine war. While the great engine war of the '80s earned its title for its cost savings for taxpayers, the F135 (Pratt and Whitney) engine versus F136 (General Electric/Rol...
-
Policy Letter
POGO Joins Groups in Supporting the DATA Act
We, the undersigned organizations, are writing to express our support for efforts to improve federal financial transparency. Chairman Issa, Senator Warner, and President Obama deserve praise for their leadership in building upon the successes of USASpending.gov and the Recover...
-
Public Comment
Service Contractor Inventory Proposed Rule Requires Improvements
The Project On Government Oversight (POGO) provides the following public comment to FAR Case 2010-010, “Federal Acquisition Regulation; Service Contracts Reporting Requirements” (76 Fed. Reg. 22070, April 20, 2011). The proposed rule, issued by the Department of Defense (DoD),...
-
Analysis
Senate Tackles Obama’s Contractor Political Spending Disclosure EO
President Obama's contractor political spending Executive Order (EO) isn't out yet, but that's not preventing Congress from heading it off at the pass. The House approved the National Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 1540), which includes a provision (Section 847) which would ...
-
Analysis
SEC Withholds Records on Oversight of Self-Regulatory Group
Suzanne Barlyn's latest column in Dow Jones Compliance Watch raises new concerns about the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) practices and the lack of transparency at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and other self-...
-
Analysis
Did Education Department Officials Leak Market-Sensitive Info to Stock Traders?
The Department of Education (DoED) in Washington has never been known as a hotbed for scandal. But now, following the widely-reported announcement of a new DoED rule governing companies in the lucrative, for-profit education sector, DoED Inspector General (IG) Kathleen Tighe w...
-
Policy Letter
Groups Urge Congess to Save Open Gov Websites
On behalf of the undersigned organizations and individuals, we are writing to urge you to restore funding to the Electronic Government Fund, which provides critical support for the construction of a more transparent and efficient government and serves as a building block for p...
-
Public Comment
POGO Supports Disclosure of Personal Conflict of Interest Information for Contractor Employees Performing Acquisition Functions
The Project On Government Oversight (POGO) provides the following public comment to IC 9000–00XX, “Preventing Personal Conflicts of Interest for Contractor Employees Performing Acquisition Functions.” 76 Fed. Reg. 27648, May 12, 2011.
-
Analysis
Obama Administration Prosecuting “Exactly the Kind of Whistleblower Who Deserves Protection”
One of those whistleblowers being targeted is Tom Drake, a National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower who is less than a week away from his first day in court. Drake is being prosecuted not for sharing classified information with the media, but instead is being charged with ...