Government Oversight

 

For more than 26 years in the U.S. Senate, Senator Grassley has taken on a sometimes overlooked and many times unglamorous part of a lawmaker’s job: congressional oversight. The three branches of the federal government operate on a system of checks and balances. From Senator Grassley's position in the legislative branch, he keeps close tabs on the other two to make sure the federal government works for, by and of the people.

As a taxpayer watchdog, Senator Grassley scrupulously searches for unscrupulous use of tax dollars. Every tax dollar lost to waste, fraud or abuse cheats the taxpaying public and prevents the federal government from serving the public good.

An anti-fraud tool that Senator Grassley secured into law 20 years ago is described by the U .S. Justice Department as the federal government’s best weapon against fraud. He salutes whistleblowers who come forward to expose wrongdoing and will continue to serve as an advocate for whistleblowers and advance legal protections for those who come forward with the truth.

Protecting Tax Dollars Against Fraud

Senator Grassley's oversight crusade goes well beyond protecting the public purse. He rides herd on federal agencies to make sure they are serving the public. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Republican-led administration or an executive branch taking marching orders from a Democrat in the Oval Office. Mismanagement is a non-partisan problem. Senator Grassley works to build accountability by letting more sunshine in on how the government conducts the people’s business.

Senator Grassley's spotlight also targets Congress. For starters, the Grassley-sponsored landmark Congressional Accountability Act enacted 10 years ago puts Capitol Hill under the same workplace safety and civil rights laws that impact Main Street businesses. Today he is pushing to provide whistleblower protections to employees of the legislative branch based on the proposition that opening up the people’s business to the light of day will strengthen representative government. Senator Grassley is committed to putting an end to “secret holds” in the U.S. Senate and allowing cameras into federal courts. Word On: Good Government

Tell Senator Grassley what you think about this issue.

 

For whistleblowers interested in contacting Senator Grassley’s oversight staff, click here

 

Related Press Releases
December 17, 2008 - Grassley asks SEC Inspector General for regular updates on Madoff review
December 3, 2008 - ICYMI:Cleveland Clinic Takes Steps to Disclose Conflicts of Interest - New York Times
November 22, 2008 - ICYMI: Investigation Uncovers Radio Host's Ties to Drug Company- New York Times
November 7, 2008 - Senator Grassley says SEC refuses to hold anyone accountable for misconduct exposed by two independent inquiries
October 31, 2008 - Grassley seeks transparency with Fed loan dollars
October 30, 2008 - Senators protest presidential signing statement on Inspector General Reform Act
October 15, 2008 - ICYMI: Making a Federal Case by Natalie Brewster - ARTnews
October 14, 2008 - Grassley Urges Government to Rein in Executive Compensation, Other Expenses of AIG, Other Companies Receiving Financial Rescue
September 25, 2008 - Inspector General Reform Act Clears Senate
September 23, 2008 - Grassley, colleagues push to have defense authorization conferees include
April 23, 2008 - Inspector General Reform Act Clears Senate
April 10, 2008 - Grassley Bill to Reign in Government Credit Card Abuse Clears Committee
March 20, 2008 - Bear Stearns deal
October 17, 2007 - Oversight of the General Services Administration
September 10, 2007 - Grassley Questions FBI on More Alleged Retaliation Against Whistleblowers
August 14, 2007 - FBI Whistleblower Jane Turner
August 13, 2007 - Grassley: Turf battles in federal bureaucracy result in neglect of possible leads
August 3, 2007 - Grassley: GSA IG Will Give Independent Audit
July 24, 2007 - Grassley Concerned about Sun Microsystems' Lack of Cooperation in IG Audit
July 24, 2007 - Grassley Concerned about Sun Microsystems' Lack of Cooperation in IG Audit
July 24, 2007 - Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice
June 20, 2007 - Smithsonian’s independent review report
June 18, 2007 - Grassley Welcomes Smithsonian Governance Report, Looks Forward to Continued Ethics Reform, Transparency
May 29, 2007 - Sen. Grassley works to build confidence in nonprofits with greater transparency
May 17, 2007 - Grassley Questions Smithsonian Business Ventures’ Management, Performance; Welcomes Resignation
May 15, 2007 - Sen. Grassley introduces the Hedge Fund Registration Act of 2007-05-15
May 14, 2007 - National Whistleblower Week
April 24, 2007 - Grassley statement on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
April 24, 2007 - Grassley’s Red Cross Modernization Effort Receives Final Passage, Heads to President
April 18, 2007 - Grassley: IRS Commissioner Will Bring Skills to Red Cross Position
March 28, 2007 - Grassley Statement before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
March 27, 2007 - Grassley Statement at the FBI Oversight Hearing
March 26, 2007 - Grassley: Smithsonian Secretary’s Resignation Brings Chance to Renew Institution
March 22, 2007 - Judiciary Committee Subpoena Vote
March 21, 2007 - Grassley: Report Underscores Need to Safeguard Smithsonian Resources
March 21, 2007 - Grassley Opening Statement for Senate Judiciary Committee
March 20, 2007 - The False Claims Act and War Profiteering
March 9, 2007 - Inspector General report on National Security Letters
March 9, 2007 - Grassley’s Red Cross Modernization Bill Advances Via Committee
March 7, 2007 - Grassley: Time for Waste, Fraud and Abuse of Government Credit Cards to Stop
March 5, 2007 - Grassley Welcomes Permanent Smithsonian Inspector General
February 27, 2007 - Grassley: FBI Should Discipline Supervisors Found to Retaliate Against Agents
February 26, 2007 - Grassley works to safeguard Smithsonian resources
February 26, 2007 - Grassley Writes to Congressional Leaders, Vice President on Smithsonian Problems
February 7, 2007 - Grassley Works to Provide Whistleblower Protections to Legislative Branch Employees
January 31, 2007 - Grassley, Sensenbrenner See Need for Inspector General for the Judiciary
January 30, 2007 - Sens. Grassley, Dodd Seek Bold Reforms for Drug Safety
January 19, 2007 - Senate Approves Wyden-Grassley Plan to Get Rid of Secret Holds
December 12, 2006 - Efforts Continue for FBI Amerithrax briefing
December 7, 2006 - Oversight of the Implementation of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act
December 5, 2006 - Opening Statement of Sen. Grassley at the Judiciary Committee hearing on Examining Enforcement of Criminal Insider Trading and Hedge Fund Activity
December 5, 2006 - Opening Statement of Sen. Grassley at the Judiciary Committee hearing on Examining Enforcement of Criminal Insider Trading and Hedge Fund Activity
November 21, 2006 - Justice Department Says $1.3 Billion Recovered This Year Because of Grassley-Authored Legislation
October 18, 2006 - Grassley, Baucus Press for Details of UnitedHealth CEO’s Exit Compensation Package Amid Stock Options Backdating Scandal
September 28, 2006 - Grassley: GAO Report More Reason to Pass Legislation to Curb Government Credit Card Abuse
September 25, 2006 - Grassley, Coburn: IG Report Recommends Shut Down of FAA Contracting Program
September 15, 2006 - Senators: Tithing Allowed During Bankruptcy, Court Decision Wrong
July 18, 2006 - Grassley Works to Give Whistleblower Protections to Legislative Branch Employees
July 18, 2006 - Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley, Oversight Hearing on the Department of Justice
June 27, 2006 - Grassley, Kohl, Leahy and Schumer Introduce Bill to Stop 'Payoffs' that Delay Generic Drugs
June 19, 2006 - Justice Department Inspector General Report on FBI Handling of Moussaoui Information
June 15, 2006 - Grassley Questions FBI’s Effectiveness as Lead Agency in Terrorist Financing Cases
June 8, 2006 - Grassley Continues Efforts to Curb Government Credit Card Abuse
May 30, 2006 - Grassley Criticizes Proposed Consolidation of Sioux City Mail Sorting Facility
May 3, 2006 - Grassley Comments on FBI Director Testimony
April 12, 2006 - Grassley, Nussle Question U.S. Labor Department's Oversight in CIETC Salaries
March 30, 2006 - Sunshine in the Courtroom Legislation Clears Judiciary Committee
February 16, 2006 - Possible FBI Whistleblower Retaliation
October 17, 2005 - Grassley Praises Crackdown on Deceptive Claims for Free Prescription Drugs
September 23, 2005 - Grassley Seeks Major Inspector General Role in Policing Katrina Spending
September 13, 2005 - Grassley works to prevent abuse of government purchase cards and stop waste of hurricane relief dollars
May 27, 2005 - Grassley seeks more information from Justice Department about recovering tax dollars lost to fraud
May 17, 2005 - Justice Department Continues to Sidestep Grassley, Leahy Questions About Whistleblower
April 25, 2005 - Grassley Plans to Take Aim at Abusive “Supporting Organizations” for Charities
December 1, 2004 - Grassley, Baucus Preview New Car Donation Rules
October 22, 2004 - New Report Shows Need for Tougher Crackdown on Non-Profits, Tax Shelters
October 6, 2004 - Grassley Advances Crackdown on Fuel Tax Evasion
August 3, 2004 - Grassley Announces the Release of Two GAO Reports on U.S. Assistance to Colombia
August 3, 2004 - Grassley Announces the Release of Two GAO Reports on U.S. Assistance to Colombia
July 23, 2004 - Grassley, Baucus Release Details of Plans to Ensure Continued "Son of Boss"Enforcement
July 23, 2004 - Anti-fuel fraud provisions
July 14, 2004 - Senators Concerned About More Alleged Problems at FBI's Office of Professional Responsibility
June 23, 2004 - Sibel Edmonds allegations
May 20, 2004 - Letter Questions Performance of FBI's Legal Attache Office in Saudi Arabia
April 5, 2004 - Grassley, Baucus Expand Charities Review to Statue of Liberty Foundation
April 5, 2004 - Grassley, Baucus Expand Charities Review to Statue of Liberty Foundation
February 18, 2004 - Grassley Says FBI Must Address Internal Misconduct
January 13, 2004 - Grassley Seeks
January 12, 2004 - KPMG announcement of leadership changes
January 9, 2004 - Grassley, Baucus Seek More Accurate Improper Payment Rates
December 3, 2003 - New report on AIDS treatment spending in Puerto Rico
December 23, 2002 - GAO report on charities' response to Sept. 11
August 15, 2002 - Grassley Seeks Crackdown on Thousands of Missing Government Computers