RETRAINING CONGRESS

AMONG THE MANY VICTIMS of the Bush years have been some of the talented
and informed staff of Congress. Burned out by having their role reduced
to that of Karl Rove's hit men, more than a few have left. Now it looks
like Congress - or at least the House - is going to be more interested
in carrying out its constitutional role of legislative oversight. The
only problem is: many newer staffers aren't all that familiar with the
track.

So the Project on Government Oversight has started holding training
sessions, the first ones attracting 50-75 staffers from both parties.
There are exercises, mock hearings, case reviews, and lessons from some
of the nation's congressional oversight experts, government insiders and
whistleblowers, investigative journalists, current and former Inspectors
General, Government Accountability Office staff, and current and former
congressional staff. Future topics include how to prepare for an
oversight hearing, handling classified information, working with
government insiders and whistleblowers, and investigating the internal
revenue service. POGO and its staff have helped to organize and inform
dozens of Congressional oversight hearings since being founded 25 years
ago.

[Your editor is totally biased about POGO, having once served on its
board and being currently a member of the Fund for Constitutional
Government which helps to fund it. So don't take his word for it. Here's
what Roll Call says: "The Project On Government Oversight remains one of
the most respected and unflappable watchdogs in Washington with its
laser-like focus on complex issues of waste and abuse affecting the
military, contractors and government spending."]

http://www.pogo.org/