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
Whistle-Blower Protections for All Federal Workers
At great personal risk, whistleblowers from the US Embassy Kabul have recently come forward to expose shocking security and ethical lapses. One of them has already been forced out of his job, and several others are suffering retaliation for their role in exposing the scandal. ...
-
Testimony
Testimony of POGO’s Danielle Brian before the House Committee on Natural Resources regarding “The Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act of 2009”
POGO applauds the House Natural Resources Committee for your vigilant oversight of royalty collections, and for writing the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act of 2009. This legislation will benefit taxpayers by implementing several key reforms that wi...
-
Testimony
Testimony of Danielle Brian before the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan
Practically from Day One, ArmorGroup North America knowingly underperformed in its mission in order to maximize its profits, endangering the diplomats and its own employees in the process—and the Department of State knew about it.
-
Analysis
Another Conflicted Nominee Takes Office
The Treasury Department just announced that George W. Madison has been confirmed as the Department's new General Counsel. But as POGO guest blogger Michael Collins wrote back in June, Madison's recent employment at a firm that's participating in a key bailout program—along wit...
-
Analysis
Oversight Panel Asks All the Right Questions about Auto Industry Bailout
A new report released yesterday by the Congressional Oversight Panel projects that taxpayers will lose billions of dollars on the government’s auto industry bailout programs.
-
Analysis
Big Penalties for Big Pharma: Just Another Cost of Doing Business
Last week, the Department of Justice announced that pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and its subsidiary, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc., agreed to pay $2.3 billion to resolve claims of illegally promoting and/or misbranding certain pharmaceutical products. It is the large...
-
Analysis
Big Penalties for Big Pharma: Just Another Cost of Doing Business
Last week, the Department of Justice announced that pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and its subsidiary, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc., agreed to pay $2.3 billion to resolve claims of illegally promoting and/or misbranding certain pharmaceutical products. It is the large...
-
Analysis
Treasury Stands Down from Attempt to Challenge SIGTARP’s Authority
The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that the Treasury Department has withdrawn its request to have the Justice Department clarify the relationship between Treasury and the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP).
-
Policy Letter
POGO Letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton regarding U.S. Embassy in Kabul
As you know, last month eight rockets were fired into Kabul, two landing near the U.S. Embassy.1 Not long after, at least seven people were killed and 91 wounded, including children, when a suicide bomber struck close to the Embassy. Following the second attack, a Taliban spo...
-
Analysis
Time for Bernanke to Deliver on Transparency Promises
The news came in Monday that President Obama has appointed Ben Bernanke to another four-year term as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, putting an end to months of speculation that he might appoint a Democrat to the position.
-
Policy Letter
POGO letter to DHHS Secretary Sebelius: Greater transparency in the flu vaccine program is urgently needed
We are writing again to request that you deal quickly with a pressing issue: ensuring full transparency in the government's program for producing H1N1 swine flu vaccine. While recognizing the demands of your time‑consuming focus on health care legislation, we nonetheless belie...
-
Analysis
How to Undermine Military Reform
Despite much glib talk about sweeping reforms of our defenses coming out of the Pentagon and being legislated by Congress, just a slight scratch of the surface reveals business as usual very much alive and well. It is important to reveal beneath the pretense of military reform...