[govinfo] GovInfo News 2-15-2007
- From: "Patrice McDermott" <pmcdermott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "govinfo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <govinfo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "FOI-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <FOI-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:52:47 -0500
- Whistleblower Protection Hearing
- Watchdogs say Homeland Security office has delayed probes
- Free Browser Toolbar gives access to government info
Patrice McDermott, Executive Director
OpenTheGovernment.org
202-332-OPEN (6736)
www.openthegovernment.org
- HOUSE OVERSIGHT & GOVT REFORM COMMITTEE HEARING ON THE WHISTLEBLOWER
PROTECTION ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007
Advocates for whistle-blowers urged Congress to strengthen protections for
federal employees who suffer reprisal in the workplace. The advocates were
greeted with bipartisan support at a hearing held by the House Oversight and
Government Reform Committee. more [WashPost]and here [GovExec]
***
- WATCHDOGS SAY HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE HAS DELAYED PROBES
By Chris Strohm, CongressDaily
February 6, 2007
Two of the government's top investigators told lawmakers Tuesday that the
Homeland Security Department has delayed and complicated their investigations.
Government Accountability Office Comptroller General David Walker told the
House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee the problem is "systemic"
and not the fault of any single individual. But he complained that GAO has had
to go through the office of General Counsel Philip Perry. Perry is married to
Elizabeth Cheney, a former State Department official who is one of the vice
president's two daughters. Walker said it is his understanding that people from
Perry's office have to review documents GAO seeks before they are released and
selectively sit in on interviews with department employees.
"When you have more lawyers in a meeting than program people, you know you got
a problem. Something needs to be done about this," Walker said. "There needs to
be an understanding that if the general counsel's office is going to get
involved, it's clearly got to be the exception rather than the rule," he added.
"Right now the system is structured to delay, delay, delay ... We haven't had a
situation where they refuse information but it might take months to get it."
Homeland Security Inspector General Richard Skinner said his investigations
have also been hindered. "We're experiencing the same problem," said Skinner,
who added his office is "oftentimes" told who they can interview and that it
sometimes takes weeks to get documents. Skinner said he prepared a document
last summer to inform all department employees of the IG's responsibilities and
authorities and encouraging them to cooperate with investigations. "That letter
has been sitting up in counsel's office at DHS since I believe June or July of
'06," Skinner said.
Ranking member Harold Rogers, R-Ky., added that the panel has experienced
similar problems in getting information from the department, prompting
appropriators to withhold Homeland Security funds in the past. "I thought
withholding funds was the answer, but that doesn't seem to work," Rogers said.
"Mr. Chairman, the power of the purse has not worked, so far."
more See also "Lawmakers blast DHS officials for slow response to data requests"
***
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