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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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AnalysisAcknowledging Judicial Errors: Rejecting the Doctrine of Judicial Finality
Chief Justice William Rehnquist spoke clearly in Herrera v. Collins: “It is an unalterable fact that our judicial system, like the human beings who administer it, is fallible.”
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Policy Letter
POGO Urges Review of Ethics Reporting Omissions by President Trump
In light of the government’s case against Michael Cohen, OGE should review whether President Trump underreported the amount of his liabilities in his 2017 financial disclosure report.
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AnalysisThe Pentagon’s New Stealth Bookkeeping
Cleaner Financial Books Apparently Require Some Dirtier Numbers
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AnalysisKnowing Their Worth: President’s Budget Sought Big Cuts to Inspectors General
A Senate report shows that the President’s budget sought funding cuts to some inspectors general despite increases to agency budgets. This sets a bad precedent for the public and Congress.
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Policy Letter
Senator Warren’s Bill Offers Many Reforms to Improve Government Ethics and Accountability
Senator Warren's recently introduced Anti Corruption and Public Integrity bill would address many ethics loopholes, congressional oversight challenges, and the ability of the federal to function in a way that serves all Americans.
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AnalysisWeaponizing Security Clearances Is Unacceptable, Whether CIA Directors are the Victims or Perpetrators
Executive agencies regularly use their classification powers to avoid oversight or accountability for embarrassing or unlawful conduct. Congress needs to create enforceable protections against using the security clearance process for retaliation against whistleblowers and crit...
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Policy Letter
EPA Lacks the Authority and Supporting Data to Propose Transparency Requirements for Science
EPA lacks sufficient authority to propose the "Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science" rule and the proposal itself is incomplete, ill-considered, and contrary to the Agency’s mission to protect the public and environment. Therefore, the Project On Governme...
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AnalysisPassing Grade? Lessons Learned from the 2017 Disasters
A new Federal Emergency Management Agency report describes many “lessons learned” from last summer’s major natural disasters. However, FEMA and the nation are not yet adequately prepared for the next one.
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AnalysisAs “Zero Tolerance” Cases Skyrocket, Other Prosecutions Slow
New data suggests that the Justice Department’s focus on misdemeanor prosecutions under “zero tolerance” has led to a dramatic decrease in prosecutions of serious crimes like drug trafficking and human smuggling.
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Policy Letter
POGO Urges Congress to Advance Strong Election Security and Paper Ballot Measures
The Senate is preparing to hold a committee mark up of the Secure Elections Act, legislation that would provide various forms of assistance to states to bolster election security. However, reports indicate the Senate Rules Committee may water down the bill before advancing it...
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Policy Letter
POGO Urges Council to Limit When Contractors Deny Agencies Access to Vital Cost Information
Agencies need access to certified cost or pricing information, which substantially improves contract pricing, negotiation, and accountability, and saves taxpayer dollars. POGO supports expanding government access to certified cost or pricing information and urges the FAR Counc...