2021-22 Congressional Training Program Schedule
We’re excited to share the schedule with you for our Congressional Training Program for the 117th Congress. This curriculum covers all the essential aspects of Congressional oversight and investigations.
Sessions are open for RSVP typically two weeks prior to the event.
2021 Schedule
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The Confirmation Process (Virtual)
While the Senate alone approves presidential nominees, all committees and members have an interest in ensuring the administration’s top officials can serve the public with credibility and expertise, and minimal financial or ethical conflicts of interest.
RSVP HERE with password “NOMINEE”
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Oversight and Investigations: What it Means and How to Make it Work (Virtual)
An introduction to oversight, this session covers the constitutional basis for congressional oversight, how oversight is an essential part of legislating, and how to get started.
RSVP HERE with password "OVERSIGHT"
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Making the Most of Your Resources: Working with CRS (Virtual)
How to use the knowledge and resources of the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Congress’s shared research and analysis division, to boost your oversight and accountability efforts.
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How to: Write a Request Letter (NEW) (Virtual)
Correspondence from congressional offices asking for records or interviews are the building blocks of oversight. Learn how to write good request letters—and how to get them answered.
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Making the Most of Your Resources: Working with GAO (Virtual)
How to improve your oversight by calling on the experts and expertise of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent, nonpartisan agency that supports Congress.
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How to: Plan a Hearing (Virtual)
Hearings can be dramatic, high-profile events that drive change—or frustrating and pointless wastes of time. Learn how to make oversight hearings sharper, more efficient, and more effective.
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Working with Whistleblowers on Oversight and Investigations (Virtual)
Whistleblowers are vital information sources for congressional investigations, and they often risk major injury for coming forward: career implosion, retaliation, doxxing, online harassment, and worse. Learn how to work more safely and effectively with whistleblowers to advance your oversight efforts.
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Issue Focus: Overseeing Agency Cybersecurity
A data breach or hack can devastate an agency’s ability to succeed. Every agency grapples with cybersecurity—and few manage it well. Learn how to assess an agency’s cybersecurity and ask the right questions.
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Working with the Media on Oversight & Investigations
The media can bring attention and public outrage to your investigation. They can also ignore it. Learn how to work effectively with the news media during and after your investigation.
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Understanding Info Restrictions: From FOUO to TS/SCI
The executive branch uses a dizzying number of terms for restricting access to information. These restrictions often complicate Congress’s rightful access to important agency information. Learn how to navigate the world of executive branch secrets.
2022 Schedule
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How to: Conduct Oversight from the Minority or Personal Office
Trying to get answers when you don’t have a gavel—or even a committee seat—can be hard. Learn how to get creative with new partners and new approaches.
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Making the Most of Your Resources: Working with Inspectors General
Inspectors general (IGs) are independent watchdogs within federal agencies and are essential to a well-functioning federal government. They’re also great allies for your oversight work. Find out more about IGs, what they do, and how to leverage their expertise and mission for your oversight work.
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How to: Using Oversight to Drive Change (NEW)
Many members think of oversight as a tool for answering questions. But it can also be a powerful tool for implementing reforms. Learn how to design your oversight for maximum impact—and how to follow through to deliver it.
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Finding Waste at Your Agency
Federal misspending costs taxpayers billions of dollars each year—it’s an issue nearly every member (and voter) can appreciate. Learn how to spot potentially wasteful spending, get the facts, and call it out.
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Working with Agency & Industry Counsel on Oversight & Investigations
The relationship between investigators and the subject of their scrutiny can be fraught and tense. But in some cases, they can help your effort. Learn how—and when—to work cooperatively with investigative subjects to achieve your goals.
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Understanding Agency Objections: From Deliberative Process to Legislative Purpose
Agencies can give many excuses for declining to cooperate with a congressional request. Which are valid and which aren’t? Learn when to listen and when to push back—and get the information your investigation needs.
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Issue Focus: Oversight of Judges & the Judiciary (with The Constitution Project at POGO)
A lot of attention is paid to Congress’s oversight of the executive branch. But Congress also oversees the judicial branch, with an entirely different set of rules, disclosures, and concerns.
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Making the Most of Your Resources: Databases and Other Sources
Sometimes the information you need is just a few clicks away—if you only knew where to click. Learn about federal contracting databases and other tools to get the data you’re looking for quickly.