POGOBlog
An RSS feed for http://www.pogo.org/blog
- Website
- feeds.feedburner.com · all feeds from this site
- Feed URL
http://feeds.feedburner.com/POGO_Blog
Read it in your FeedListing reader
Or add to: Feedly Inoreader Raw feed
Latest posts
-
POGO Identifies Defense Contractors Recently Sanctioned for Human Trafficking Abuses
A new government report on human trafficking omits the names of companies accused of abusive labor practices. Some sleuthing uncovered the identity of two companies: both are U.S. defense contractors, and one has a particularly unsavory history.
-
Weaponizing 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…
-
Passing 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.
-
As “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.
-
Rating the Watchdogs: Are Our Inspectors General Effective?
New articles by Federal News Radio and Government Executive raise issues worthy of examination regarding the inspector general community, issues that are also addressed by POGO’s recent report on our nation’s federal watchdogs.
-
Army Carefully Considering Next Worldwide Logistics Contractors
After repeated contractor misconduct in past contracts, the U.S. Army deliberates over who to award the latest worldwide warfighters-support contract to.
-
Just Following Orders: Overdue Oversight and Unanswered Questions on Family Separations
Nearly three months after the Trump administration’s family separation policy began and over one month after a public outcry led to its end, Congress finally held its first hearing on the subject on July 31. It was a necessary step, but not nearly enough.
-
Paper Cuts: Thunderbolt of Journalism Reveals TSA “Quiet Skies” Surveillance Program
TSA documents describe a program that allows sky marshals to secretly monitor behavior of unsuspecting airplane passengers who have done nothing wrong.
-
Bad Contracting Decision Comes Back to Haunt Pentagon
The Pentagon is still suffering the consequences of hiring Efraim Diveroli, the Miami Beach military supplier whose exploits landed him in prison and inspired the film War Dogs. He recently won a long-running dispute with the government over canceled contracts to supply weapons…
-
New Report Confirms Whistleblower Retaliation is Alive and Well at Department of Veterans Affairs
A new GAO report confirms POGO’s fears that the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protections lacks adequate independence.
-
Explaining Secret Surveillance
Americans are dangerously vulnerable to unchecked FISA surveillance, but the discussion of the Carter Page warrant misses the real problem.
-
Paper Cuts: From Russia with Love
The Justice Department’s charging documents on Russian election interference read like a real-life spy novel.
-
Racial Discrimination in the Courts: The Case of Marcus Robinson
Racial discrimination in jury selection threatens the criminal justice system and the integrity and application of the Constitution. In one case, North Carolina seeks to ignore it.
-
27 and Counting: Another Background-Check “Dumper” Pleads Guilty
Last week, a former contractor pleaded guilty to falsifying federal security clearance investigations—the twenty-seventh such conviction in 10 years.
-
“Zero Tolerance” and Border Crisis Need Congressional Oversight
POGO is calling on the Senate Judiciary Committee to begin an investigation into the crisis of immigration enforcement and detention along our nation’s southwest border.
-
POGO’s Suggestions to Congress: Oversight to Counter Foreign Interference
Members of Congress expressing disapproval of President Trump’s comments in Helsinki about Russian election interference can and should also conduct oversight of eight issue areas relating to foreign interference in our democratic systems.
-
FCC Chairman Throws a Wrench in Proposed Sinclair-Tribune Merger—At Least for Now
The deal would make Sinclair an unparalleled local-television behemoth.
-
Paper Cuts: No Match for Mother’s Milk
Baby-food makers latch on to breastfeeding policy to sell formula.
-
Chamber Music: Corporations Attain Harmony with Federal Corruption Laws
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce lately seems to have softened its longstanding opposition to the False Claims Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the federal government’s most powerful tools for deterring corporate corruption and protecting taxpayer money.
-
Privacy After Carpenter: We Need Warrants for Real-Time Tracking and “Electronic Exhaustion”
The Supreme Court’s Carpenter decision greatly expanded location privacy rights, but serious problems remain. Congress should act swiftly to enact a warrant requirement for real-time cellphone tracking and create “electronic exhaustion.”