Issue Position: Government Oversight

Issue Position

For more than 25 years in the U.S. Senate, I've sunk my teeth into a sometimes over-looked and many times unglamorous part of a lawmaker's job: congressional oversight. The three branches of the federal government operate on a system of checks and balances. From my post in the legislative branch, I keep close tabs on the other two to make sure the federal government works "for, by and of the people."

As a taxpayers' watchdog, I scrupulously search for unscrupulous use of tax dollars. Every tax dollar lost to waste, fraud or abuse cheats the taxpaying public and prevents the federal government from serving the public good.

An anti-fraud tool I secured into law 20 years ago is described the U .S. Justice Department as the federal government's best weapon against fraud. I salute the courageous private citizens who come forward to expose wrongdoing. I will continue to serve as an advocate for whistleblowers and advance legal protections for those who come forward with the truth.

My oversight crusade goes well beyond protecting the public purse. I ride herd on federal agencies to make sure they are serving the public good. (Sentinel on the Hill, June 22, 2006) It doesn't matter if it's a Republican-led administration or an executive branch taking marching orders from a Democrat in the Oval Office. Mismanagement seems to be a non-partisan problem in need of a solution. The public has a right to know. That's why I work so hard to let the sunshine in how the government conducts the people's business.

My spotlight also targets Congress. For starters, my landmark Congressional Accountability Act enacted 10 years ago puts Capitol Hill under the same workplace safety and civil rights laws that impact Main Street businesses. Now I'm pushing to provide whistleblower protections to employees of the legislative branch. Opening up the people's business to the light of day will strengthen representative government. That's why I am committed to putting an end to "secret holds" in the U.S. Senate and allowing cameras into federal courts.

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