GAO flags open State gaps in U.S. security-assistance oversight
A September GAO update says State has nine priority recommendations open, including gaps in investigating, documenting and reporting potential arms-transfer violations.
Congressional oversight
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Senate Judiciary schedules FBI oversight hearing for Sept. 15
The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a public FBI oversight hearing for Sept. 15 in Washington, but no witnesses or testimony are listed yet.
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$180 Million in Federal Education Research Funds Faces Sept. 30 Deadline
About $180 million in fiscal 2025 IES funds remained to be spent or obligated Aug. 26, with a Sept. 30 deadline and proposed program shifts.
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GAO Says Federal Agencies Lack Goals and Data Needed to Judge Whether Many Programs Work
A Government Accountability Office review of 15 federal programs at five agencies found weaknesses in goals, performance data and the use of information to assess results.
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Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, sending pressure to House before August recess
The Senate approved a sweeping Russia sanctions bill on Aug. 7, 2026, including a presidential waiver mechanism negotiated in part by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The House has not completed action.
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GAO Releases Report on Recent Federal Workforce Changes at OPM
The Government Accountability Office released a report examining recent workforce changes at the Office of Personnel Management, alongside five other reports issued July 16–20, 2026.
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Senate Panel Votes to Hold Anthony Fauci in Contempt Over Refusal to Answer COVID-19 Questions
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted August 6 to hold former NIAID director Anthony Fauci in contempt after he declined to answer questions at a July 29 hearing.
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Jay Clayton Takes Over as Intelligence Chief After Senate Vote
Jay Clayton has taken over as national intelligence director after a 51-47 Senate vote, ending Bill Pulte’s temporary tenure and beginning a new oversight test.
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Senate Judiciary Vote on Todd Blanche Faces IRS Settlement Dispute
The Senate Judiciary Committee set an August 4 vote on Todd Blanche after Sens. Cornyn and Tillis sought written assurances about a disputed IRS settlement.
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Senate HELP postpones CDC vote for Erica Schwartz—what changes next
Senate HELP had set an executive-session vote on CDC nominee Dr. Erica Schwartz for July 23, but the committee delayed it—next week is the key step.
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CBO: US deficit hit $1.4T in first nine months of FY2026 as net interest rises
CBO says the FY2026 deficit reached $1.4T in nine months, widening as outlays outpaced revenues—and net interest rose $98B, adding future pressure.
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House Oversight grills Smithsonian on “rewriting history” claims—what next
On July 21, 2026, House Oversight questioned Smithsonian officials after a July 4 White House report alleged “activist ideology.” What Congress can do next.
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AI Tax Integrity Act advances from Ways & Means with JCT “negligible” receipts impact
United States Congress and Budget Watch – House Ways & Means advances H.R. 9501, creating an IRS AI fraud-detection pilot; JCT calls receipts impact negligible.
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House Judiciary subpoena Philly DA Larry Krasner: records due July 29
House Judiciary set a July 29 production deadline for Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner’s immigration-related records after a May 4 letter dispute.
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Senate Judiciary sets Todd Blanche AG hearing for July 15–16
The Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled confirmation hearings for Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on July 15 and 16, while disputing DOJ oversight responses.
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DOJ sues four states for SNAP data—what changes and what to watch next
DOJ filed suits June 26 to seek injunctions requiring Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Minnesota to turn over “last five years” SNAP applicant data.