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Press Release

Press Release: The Constitution Project Officially Becomes Part of the Project On Government Oversight

The Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is excited to announce that The Constitution Project (TCP) is officially becoming a part of POGO.

Founded 20 years ago to combat the increasing partisan divide regarding our constitutional rights and liberties, TCP has brought together people of diverse experiences and political philosophies to forge consensus on some of the most difficult constitutional questions of the day.

TCP’s Task Force on Detainee Treatment helped shine a light on the government’s unconstitutional treatment of suspected terrorists after 9/11, contributing to release of the 500-page executive summary of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s review of the CIA's detention and interrogation program and passage of a new law strengthening the prohibitions on torture. It helped protect access to justice and defended the Federal Defender Program from devastating budget cuts. And TCP continues to lead efforts to combat illegal government surveillance and policing practices that violate the constitutional rights of individuals.

“We are proud to welcome this unique organization into the Project On Government Oversight. The Constitution Project has a two-decade legacy of influential and highly regarded analysis and advocacy work. Their efforts to defeat threats to our constitutional rights, government overreach, and abuse of power will continue with us,” said Danielle Brian, POGO’s executive director.

In this age of extreme partisanship, TCP’s nonpartisan approach to addressing difficult constitutional questions is more relevant than ever. That is why POGO is a great place for TCP to call home—it is the preeminent nonpartisan, independent government watchdog, and has worked for over 36 years to hold both Republican and Democratic administrations accountable to the American people and our democratic ideals.

“This merger will usher in a new chapter for the Project On Government Oversight. Prior to the merger, we were focused on working with Congress and the Executive Branch to push for more open, ethical and effective government. With today’s merger, we will be adding the third branch of government--the Judiciary--to the institutions we will engage. With The Constitution Project’s legal expertise combined with our investigative skills and advocacy efforts, we will make a great team in responding to challenges to our constitutional system of checks and balances and rule of law,” Brian went on to say.

Founder and current president of TCP, Virginia Sloan, will step down from her role at the end of 2017 and will become a member of POGO’s Board of Directors. “I could not be more confident that The Constitution Project’s mission will continue at the Project On Government Oversight and that, as a result of this merger and under the leadership of Danielle Brian, it will emerge stronger and better prepared for the constitutional battles that lie ahead,” said Sloan.

We are also pleased to announce that Sarah Turberville, TCP’s current Director of Justice Programs, will transition to the new role of Director of The Constitution Project at POGO.