Briefing

All scheduled trainings are virtual unless otherwise noted.

Congressional Oversight Trainings

POGO's Congressional Training Program aims to educate Hill and other legislative branch staffers about the oversight powers of Congress and how to use those powers effectively. For the time being, we are conducting all sessions virtually unless otherwise noted.

View the full 2023-24 CTP schedule

View the 117th Congress' training schedule

Designed for veterans and beginners alike, the seminars feature lessons from some of the most accomplished current and former Congressional oversight experts and practitioners, and opportunities for staff to ask questions in an off-the-record environment. Although seminars are generally targeted towards committee staff, much of the skills and information shared during the seminars are helpful to personal staff in their investigations.

Open only to Congressional, CRS, GAO staff. Not open to the public.

Congressional Oversight Boot Camp

At least twice per year, POGO, in conjunction with the Levin Center at Wayne Law and The Lugar Center, offer two-day, intensive training sessions for congressional staff on the art and practice of oversight and investigations. Each of these "Oversight Boot Camps" combines staff from the U.S. House and Senate, committees and personal offices, and the Democratic and Republican parties to produce a bipartisan, bicameral experience. To date, more than 300 congressional staff have completed this training on how to do fact-based, bipartisan, in-depth investigations.

Attendance is free and open only to House and Senate professional staff. 

Applications are currently CLOSED. If you have any questions, please reach out to Aisha Shafi at [email protected].

Whether you're interested in attending a boot camp or are already a boot camp graduate, we hope this information will be of interest.

Oversight Boot Camps are made possible with the generous support of the Democracy Fund, a bipartisan foundation established to ensure that the U.S. political system can withstand new challenges and deliver on its promise to the American people.

Customized Staff Briefings

In addition to regular training seminars open to all congressional staff, the Initiative offers customized trainings tailored to the needs of an individual office.

Perhaps you need basic oversight briefing for new staff, a primer on the functions and history of an agency, or a brush-up on interview techniques. Drawing on the expertise of a broad network of accomplished investigative and oversight veterans, the Initiative can help brief your staff on the information they need to conduct the oversight your Member, and the American people, deserve. POGO is also able to host virtual briefings when circumstances require it.

For more information, contact Aisha Shafi at [email protected].

Federal Staff Trainings

POGO offers oversight trainings, on request, to small groups within the executive branch of the federal government. These trainings mainly cover the topics of whistleblower rights and legal protections, as well as best practices for safely disclosing instances of waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government. The trainings are conducted by POGO Executive Director Danielle Brian and CDI Director Mandy Smithberger. To inquire, please email us at [email protected].