Lightning fast progress

 

December 4, 2021

This week, the House passed a bill we championed that would significantly improve public trust in the courts. Congress’ interest in judicial ethics was sparked by a Wall Street Journal article revealing that more than 130 federal judges oversaw cases in which they or their family had a financial interest. About a month later, POGO testified in the House about the need for reform. And about a month after that, the House passed the Courthouse Ethics and Transparency Act, which will improve reporting requirements when it comes to judges’ financial holdings. These changes would only apply to the lower federal courts — not the Supreme Court — but the bill is an important step in our push for a more accountable judicial system. This is lightning fast for Capitol Hill, and it proves just how important this issue is. The public needs to know if judges have a financial interest in a case they preside over and be able to hold them accountable if they fail to recuse themselves from the matter. OP-ED The Paywall That Continues to Stand in the Way of Government Transparency Congress should act now to ensure Americans receive the free and unfettered online access to federal court records they deserve. Read More on Government Executive RESOURCE Issue Brief: The Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act Cell-site simulators can grab sensitive location data from phones en masse, but isn’t restricted by basic rules and safeguards. The Cell-Site Simulator Warrant Act would change that, and protect privacy and civil liberties. Read More RESOURCE Three Steps to Help Stop the Pentagon’s Revolving Door The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022 should include these key reforms to prevent conflicts of interest at the Department of Defense. Read More QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We’ve seen the executive branch over the last couple decades really amass way more power than I think our founders would have been comfortable with the executive having.” Liz Hempowicz, Director of Public Policy, on WPFW OVERHEARD GIVING TUESDAY Thank you to everyone who contributed on Giving Tuesday - and if you didn't get a chance, there’s still time! We can't do it without you – thank you for making our work possible. ONE LINERS “We have had a lot of trouble with data quality—agencies getting it wrong, recipients reporting inaccurate or incomplete information, and we’re just not holding people’s feet to the fire about getting that information correct.” Sean Moulton, Senior Policy Analyst, in Spectrum News   “Pursuing another training aircraft is a real indictment on the current fleet of fighter aircraft. Between the F-22 and F-35, this is further evidence that those programs really are unaffordable if we have to have an entirely new trainer aircraft to pick up the fleet.” Dan Grazier, Jack Shanahan Military Fellow, in Defense News   “Whistleblowers across the spectrum can help enforce the laws we have on the books, and so I think it’s so critically important that we make sure whistleblowers have all the protections they need.” Liz Hempowicz, Director of Public Policy, on Michigan’s Big Show The Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that investigates and exposes waste, corruption, abuse of power, and when the government fails to serve the public or silences those who report wrongdoing. We champion reforms to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable federal government that safeguards constitutional principles.  Project On Government Oversight 1100 13th Street NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20005 United States