Summary

This episode of FEDtalk focuses on congressional oversight and its function in the constitutional system. The guests, Tim Stretten from the Project on Government Oversight’s (POGO) Congressional Oversight Initiative and Elise Bean from the Carl Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, discuss the importance of effective oversight, the challenges faced in conducting oversight, and the role of training and assistance for congressional staff. They emphasize the need for bipartisanship, time and resources, and credibility in conducting oversight. The guests also highlight the role of other oversight partners such as inspectors general and the Government Accountability Office. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of oversight in promoting a more ethical and effective government.

Takeaways

• Congressional oversight is a core power of Congress to gather information necessary for legislation and ensuring proper administration of existing laws.
• Effective oversight requires bipartisanship, time and resources, credibility, and a focus on producing legislative change.
• Training and assistance programs, such as congressional oversight boot camps run by nonprofits like POGO and the Levin Center, help educate congressional staff on how to conduct better oversight.
• Collaboration with other oversight partners, such as inspectors general and the Government Accountability Office, can enhance the effectiveness of congressional oversight.
• Challenges in oversight include partisanship, lack of institutional knowledge, and resistance from agencies.

Chapters

00:00Introduction

00:31Focus on Congressional Oversight

01:26Introduction to the Levin Center and POGO

04:20Congressional Training and Assistance

06:41Importance of Bipartisanship in Oversight

08:02Congressional Oversight Boot Camps

09:29Qualities for Effective Oversight

13:23Challenges in Partisanship and Lack of Oversight

26:23Challenges in Agency Responsiveness

28:34Improving Congressional Staff Capacity

31:19Collaboration with Inspector General Community

36:00Importance of Institutional Knowledge and Staff Tenure

40:32Congressional Oversight Standards

Key Links & Resources:

Levin Center for Legislative Oversight and Democracy (levin-center.org)

Congressional Oversight Staff Resources (pogo.org)

We Held our 18th Oversight Boot Camp in D.C. • Levin Center (levin-center.org)

Our Work: The Lugar Center