U.S. legislative branch watchdog on auditing, evaluation, and investigations
The Keystone pipeline spill in Kansas has prompted a proposed settlement requiring South Bow to pay a $26.9 million civil penalty and spend about $40 million on prevention and restoration. The agreement resolves EPA and Kansas allegations of clean water law violations related to the 2022 spill, with court approval pending after public comment.
Human Rights Watch and the ACLU have documented abuses at Camp East Montana, Fort Bliss, including filthy conditions, denied medical care and withheld contact with lawyers or family. The reports cite multiple detainee accounts of violence, sickness and coercion, urging the U.S. to shut the facility and launch independent investigations.
The crash near Miramar Air Base has prompted an ongoing investigation. The pilot has ejected and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. An aerial plume of smoke and ground debris are visible as responders contain a vegetation fire at the site. Officials say the F-35B costs about $109 million and the broader program carries a multi-trillion price tag.
The GAO has found that DOGE’s Wall of Receipts savings claims are not reliably supported by the data. Audits show many terminated contracts and leases were not actually terminated, and the methodology behind grant savings remains unverified. The watchdog report covers January 2025 to July 2026.
The government has announced that White House renovations are funded with a mix of private donations, federal funds and other sources. The ballroom project is bolstering security upgrades, with estimates rising toward $600 million. Lawmakers are pushing for oversight and transparency while the administration asserts security needs drive the work.
Multiple recalls are rippling through the US food system. A donut recall in March labeling issues, several wraps tied to STEC, and a broad recall wave linked to peppers and berries highlight ongoing safety concerns. Authorities urge discard or return of affected items and emphasize consumer safety as top priority.
The U.S. CBP says the border-area wall will close a security gap, while the Tohono O’odham Nation accuses the administration of trespass and warns of damage to sacred lands. Construction on the Roosevelt Reservation has drawn protests, legal disputes, and a federal court decision allowing work to continue. Tribal officials vow further legal action.
Departments face processing delays and policy shifts as borrowers chase Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Delays in crediting qualifying payments, revamped repayer rules, and ongoing lawsuits have kept some borrowers unsure when relief will arrive while new SAVE transitions spark glitches and higher bills for others.
A federal judge has ruled that DHS exceeded its authority by attempting to cut FEMA staffing by 50%, saying the agency must lead staffing decisions. The ruling follows a wave of department changes and a broader push to shrink the federal workforce. The decision does not impose a specific remedy, sending the sides to negotiate relief.
The GAO has documented costly missteps in ICE's detention-expansion program after the Trump administration directed mass arrests. Agencies rushed to buy facilities and tented spaces without proper planning, resulting in unused assets and mounting costs as DHS pledges a strategic plan by 2027.
The White House has used a pocket rescission to cancel funding across 11 programs and agencies, arguing some spending is no longer necessary. The Government Accountability Office says the tactic is illegal if Congress has not approved the action, raising constitutional questions and prompting Democratic and Republican lawmakers to weigh next steps.
The government has spent millions on TV ads featuring President Trump and other officials, labeled as public service announcements. Democratic senators have demanded answers, arguing the funding may be illegal and constituted a misuse of taxpayer dollars as midterms approach. The ads have drawn broad criticism and questions about independence of agencies.