Stimulus

Oversight Democrats Want at Least $1B for Technology Upgrades in Next Relief Bill 

Lawmakers make the case that the funding should be included in any coronavirus relief package that comes to a vote to help address IT systems struggling due to surge in demand. 

  • By Mariam Baksh

Industry Group Urges Congress to Extend CARES Clause to Reimburse Government Contractors

The Professional Services Council called on Congress to extend Section 3610 authority in order to sustain the contracting workforce in a letter to leadership Thursday. 

  • By Mila Jasper

Coronavirus Fraudsters Keep Prosecutors Busy

State AGs track millions in false loan and unemployment claims.

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts

Senate Passes Bill to End Payments to Dead People

The bill follows an audit that found the IRS sent $1.4 billion in stimulus checks to deceased individuals.

  • By Frank Konkel

Pandemic Oversight Committee Launches Contract Spending Tracker

The committee had stated in its first report that financial management could be a top challenge for agencies. 

  • By Courtney Bublé

Weeding Out Fraudulent Unemployment Claims Just Became More Difficult

Millions of out-of-work Americans are filing for unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic and fraudsters are using the unprecedented crush of filings to take advantage.

  • By Andrea Noble

Senators Make Bipartisan Push to Expedite Hiring for Workers to Oversee Pandemic Response

Measure would ensure special investigator has proper resources in light of Trump's recent IG firing spree, senator says.

  • By Eric Katz

Senators Unveil Bill to Force Airlines to Provide Cash Back for Pandemic-Driven Flight Cancellations

If passed, the bill would also make cash reimbursements retroactive, enabling refunds for existing vouchers that date back to March 1.

  • By Brandi Vincent

New House COVID-19 Bill Includes Hazard Pay for Feds, Strengthens Protections for Telework and Sick Leave

Pelosi on Tuesday unveiled legislation that would provide up to $10,000 in premium pay for federal workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak and would prevent agencies from exempting employees from paid sick leave benefits.

  • By Erich Wagner

Senators Push for $26 Billion in the Next Stimulus Package to Support U.S. Researchers

The growing group hopes to help address the pandemic-induced challenges that research universities, academic medical centers, national labs and others are facing.

  • By Brandi Vincent

Creating an Oversight Toolkit to Ensure the CARES Act Delivers for the American People

Inspectors general across government need modern tools in their fight against fraud.

  • By Evan Lee

House Approves Creation of a Select Panel to Oversee Pandemic-Related Spending and Response

Critics have said the committee will be duplicative, but one transparency expert said that "overlapping oversight jurisdictions can be a good thing if managed correctly."

  • By Courtney Bublé

Senators Call on IRS to Beef Up Fraud Prevention Efforts

Scammers are not taking days off during the pandemic, senators warn.

  • By Frank Konkel

COVID-19: The Unlikely Accelerant of IT Modernization

The current crisis ushers in the workplace of the future today.

  • By Matthew T. Cornelius

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Forget Travel Vouchers, Airlines Should Give Customers Cash Back, Senators Say

A group of senators estimates airlines are holding about $10 billion from customers whose travel plans changed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

  • By Brandi Vincent

Trump Administration Releases Guidance to Clarify Coronavirus Relief Act’s Contracting Provisions

Agencies can use CARES Act funds to reimburse contractors from March 27 to September 30, 2020.

  • By Courtney Bublé

Treasury Secretary Says Electronic Stimulus Payments ‘More Secure,' But Are They?

Verifying the identity of people submitting personal information to IRS portals could be a challenge for the agency.

  • By Mariam Baksh

Groups Urge Congress to Fund Federal Tech Upgrades in Next COVID Stimulus Bill

Six federal technology advocacy groups offered four principles for legislators to consider.

  • By Aaron Boyd

House Oversight Leaders Seek Childcare Payments and Other Help for Feds in Next COVID-19 Relief Bill

In a letter to House leadership, Democrats unveil a laundry list of legislative proposals to assist federal employees and contractors during the coronavirus pandemic.

  • By Erich Wagner

Coronavirus Response 'Likely' to Lead to IRS Backlogs, IG Says

Outstanding cases have already spiked due to shutdown, and now thousands of employees are home and not working.

  • By Eric Katz

White House Advises Agencies on COVID-19 Spending and Reporting

“Time is of the essence,” but “spending transparency and regular reporting will provide important accountability mechanisms to help safeguard taxpayer dollars,” the Office of Management and Budget said in a memo.

  • By Courtney Bublé