Government Matters Articles

Support Mounts to End IRS Privatization Program

Key politicians and advocacy groups are lining up against an IRS program to privatize tax collections, as suspect contracts have raised further concerns about the effectiveness and transparency of the program.

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GSA Administrator Testifies on Misconduct Allegations

On March 28, General Services Administration (GSA) chief Lurita Doan testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to account for incidents of alleged mismanagement and politicization of GSA resources. In her testimony, Doan mostly offered unsubstantiated denials and accusations while professing ignorance or a faulty recollection of key actions.

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Congress Approves War Funding; Pressures Bush to Withdraw Troops

Despite repeated veto threats from President George W. Bush, both the House and Senate have approved enormous war supplemental bills that contain a schedule for eventual withdrawal of American soldiers from Iraq. At approximately $124 billion, these bills are the largest supplemental funding legislation in history.

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OMB Manipulated Climate Science, Report Says

Political officials throughout the Bush administration have edited and manipulated climate science communications, according to a recent report by a nonprofit watchdog group. Evidence shows the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to be involved in the manipulation.

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Miners Detail MSHA's Failings in Emotional Testimony

On March 28, the House Committee on Education and Labor heard emotional testimony from miners and miners' families about the dangerous conditions that currently exist in the coal industry, despite recent federal legislation that addresses mine safety. The main focus of the hearing was to provide a forum for the families and miners to argue for legislative and regulatory action similar to laws recently passed in West Virginia and Kentucky and to describe conditions in the mines.

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Open Government Legislation the Focus of Sunshine Week

Sunshine Week is an annual effort by the media, civic groups, libraries, universities, legislators and others to highlight the importance of open government. During this year's Sunshine Week (March 11-17), many legislative proposals to increase government oversight and transparency moved forward in Congress. The bills address contractor responsibility, environmental information, Freedom of Information Act reform, whistleblower protections, and other important aspects of an open and accountable government. Contractor Responsibility

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Journalist Audit Underscores Lack of Transparency

An audit by journalist groups found that public access to Comprehensive Emergency Response Plans (CERP), as required by law, was inconsistent and unreliable around the country. Only 44 percent of the requests for the CERP were granted in full, whereas 20 percent were partially released and 36 percent were completely denied.

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Report Finds Underreporting and Abuse of USA PATRIOT Act Powers

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Justice (DOJ) reported on March 9 that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been systematically underreporting National Security Letter (NSL) requests and has repeatedly violated federal law and agency policies in collecting personal information. The report unleashed a firestorm on the Hill, with calls for reform of the USA PATRIOT Act.

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EPA Looking at Labs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun a review of its laboratory network that may result in significant closures, according to some early agency plans. In response to budget cuts, EPA intends to reduce costs at least 20 percent by 2011. According to EPA officials in a phone briefing on March 15, the review is to assess the efficacy of the lab network, eliminate duplicative programs or efforts, and increase overall efficiency.

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House Panel Passes $124 Billion Supplemental Bill

On March 19, the Bush administration said it would veto a supplemental appropriations bill being readied for a House vote expected to come as soon as March 22. The White House indicated that the president opposes language that would require troop withdrawal from Iraq as well as "excessive and extraneous non-emergency spending". The supplemental appropriations bill, at $124 billion, will be the largest supplemental bill ever considered by a house of Congress and has sweeteners in it to offset a tough vote on withdrawing troops from Iraq.

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