Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Sessions (32nd District of Texas)

WASHINGTON—Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce Chairman Pete Sessions (TX-17) and Ranking Member Kweisi Mfume (MD-7) continue their bipartisan oversight of the Department of Defense’s personnel vetting practices. The lawmakers remain concerned about delays and issues with the National Background Investigation Service (NBIS) program. In a letter to the U.S. Government and Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro, they requested a GAO review of NBIS citing longstanding concerns about missed deadlines and cost overruns associated with developing a modernized security clearance vetting system that facilitates appropriate and secure access to our nation’s most sensitive materials.

“The Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce remains concerned with the status of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) personnel vetting practices, especially given the ongoing problems with the National Background Investigation Service (NBIS) program, overseen by DOD’s Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA),” wrote the lawmakers. “We are further concerned that national security personnel are not undergoing all required record checks, non-sensitive personnel have not been enrolled in a continuous vetting system, and there are indications that there are challenges implementing continuous vetting across the federal government.”

In 2015, cybersecurity incidents on information technology (IT) systems that supported personnel vetting compromised the data of more than 22 million federal employees and contractor personnel. Subsequently, DOD established NBIS to replace and improve upon the compromised IT systems. However, GAO has repeatedly reported on significant delays with NBIS’ system and included the government-wide personnel security clearance process on its High-Risk List. In June 2024, the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce held a hearing to examine how DOD has fallen short in its mission to modernize the IT infrastructure of NBIS. At the hearing, lawmakers expressed bipartisan concern about the continued delays with the NBIS system and potential cascading effects on our nation’s national security.

“Continuous vetting involves reviewing the background of a covered individual through automated record checks in various areas, including criminal records, terrorism, and financial issues, during an individual’s period of eligibility.  Unfortunately, these changes have not occurred as planned due to continued NBIS delays,” continued the lawmakers in their letter to GAO.  “Given the importance of a timely, accurate and comprehensive personnel vetting process, we request that GAO conduct a review on continued NBIS development and continuous vetting.”

Read the letter to Comptroller General Dodaro here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Sessions (32nd District of Texas)

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) released the following statement regarding the passage of the American Relief Act of 2025:

Congressman Sessions said, “Today, I voted YES for the American Relief Act of 2025. This bill was supported by President Trump and PASSED. From the outset, I made it clear that I would only support a Continuing Resolution that includes vital assistance for our agricultural community. This legislation delivers on that promise by supporting farmers and ranchers, providing critical disaster relief for those impacted by recent hurricanes, and ensuring government funding through March 14, when President Trump will be in office. These three priorities were my focus going into these discussions, and I am pleased we were able to address these essential needs of the American people. I look forward to getting back to work in the 119^th Congress.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Sessions (32nd District of Texas)

WASHINGTON, DC–Today, Chairman James Comer (KY-01) announced Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) will continue to serve as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. This is a role that Chairman Sessions held during the 118th Congress.

Congressman Sessions said, “I am excited to continue serving as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. In the 118th Congress, we conducted thorough oversight, auditing the Department of Defense, exposing waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars, and working across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions. In this Congress, we will build on that momentum to ensure that the federal government is accountable, efficient, and works for all Americans.”

“Representative Pete Sessions is a proven leader who will continue to lead our efforts to make the federal government more efficient, effective, transparent, and accountable to the American people. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, he has been at the forefront of our oversight of the federal government’s disaster responses and administration of taxpayer dollars. I look forward to continue working with Representative Pete Sessions to ensure Americans’ investment in government is stewarded wisely,” said Chairman James Comer (KY-01)

Last Congress, the Subcommittee on Government Operations held many hearings including:

Where Do We Go From Here? Examining a Path Forward to Assess Agencies’ Efforts to Prevent Improper Payments and Fraud

Assessing the Federal Government’s Response to the 2023 Maui Wildfires

Oversight of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency

What We Have Here…is a Failure to Collaborate: Review of GAO’s Annual Duplication Report

Please Leave Your Message at the Tone: Addressing Post-Pandemic Backlogs and Delays at Federal Agencies

Tracking the Postal Service: An Update on the Delivering for America Plan

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Sessions (32nd District of Texas)

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) released the following statement about his bill, H.R. 7524, the GSA Technology Accountability Act, becoming law. This new law, which received broad bipartisan support in Congress, ensures GSA is held accountable to Congress and the American people in how it spends taxpayer dollars on technology projects and initiatives.

Congressman Sessions said, “I am proud that my common-sense legislation, the GSA Technology Accountability Act has been signed into law. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, I found that there is insufficient transparency in the General Services Administration regarding technology projects. This legislation will allow the House Oversight Committee to conduct appropriate oversight, rein in what for too long has been an unaccountable organization that seemingly thought it could play by its own rules, and protect both GSA agency customers and American taxpayers. The GSA Technology Accountability Act is big win for government accountability!”  

The GSA Technology Accountability Act requires the GSA Administrator to submit an annual report to Congress regarding each project funded by the Citizen Services Fund and some projects funded by the Acquisition Services Fund. Right now, there is no transparency into how these funds, which are the primary source of funding for TTS projects and initiatives, are allocated.  This bill expands oversight capabilities and includes several measures to ensure GSA provides information about funded projects and explanations for the basis of projects as well as timelines and potential reimbursements.

Read the bill text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Sessions (32nd District of Texas)

WASHINGTON, DC- Last week, Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) introduced the Regulations Evaluated to Determine the Anticipated Price and Effect Act (RED TAPE) Act to rein in bureaucratic spending. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Co-Chair of the DOGE Caucus, Congressman Sessions is committed to preventing government agencies from wasteful spending on non-monetized or unqualified factors.

Congressman Sessions said, “In 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration issued guidance that directed government agencies to heavily incorporate non-monetary values into their cost-benefit analyses of proposed regulations. Instead of measuring the fiscal costs and benefits of a regulation, federal agencies are now assigning monetary value to obscure qualitative data. These regulations come at a cost to taxpayers, and there must be integrity, transparency, and a clear commitment to measurable results for the American people in this process. I am proud to work with Senator Ernst on this vital legislation to ensure mismanagement and waste are eliminated from our government.”

Senate DOGE Caucus Chairwoman Joni Ernst (Iowa) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Senator Ernst said, “The real threat to our democracy is an unchecked bureaucracy. President Biden’s greenie math has added up to hundreds of billions of dollars in hidden regulatory costs for Americans, and enough is enough. I am putting a stop to this nonsense by breaking out my scissors and cutting through the RED TAPE.”

You can read the bill text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, DC) — On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, shared remarks in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, “Beyond Silicon Valley: Expanding Access to Capital Across America.”

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green question the witnesses on the panel here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Censured But Not Silenced)

(Houston, TX) — On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Congressman Al Green will be hosting a live stream on Facebook in support of Medicaid Day of Action at 10:30 a.m. CT. You can join the live stream by clicking here. In the lead-up to this important day, Congressman Green has issued the following statement:

The President has no mandate to cut Medicaid. Proposed budget cuts of approximately $880 billion threaten the health of millions of Americans. Medicaid provides essential coverage for low-income individuals and families, including children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. This program delivers critical health services, including hospital and preventative care, prescription medications, vaccines, emergency support, and mental health treatment, to ensure our most vulnerable populations get the comprehensive care they deserve. 

Congressman Green stated, “I am proud to have called to the nation’s attention the critical issue of safeguarding Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security during the State of the Union, for which I was censured. In support of this effort, March 18 has been designated as a Medicaid Day of Action. As part of this important initiative, I will be live-streaming from a healthcare clinic to do my part for the cause.” 

Click here to watch the Facebook live stream of the event.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Houston, TX) —  On Monday, March 17, 2025, Congressman Al Green will host a press conference alongside Bishop James Dixon, President of the NAACP Houston Branch, Houston City Controller Chris Hollins, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch #283, and the American Postal Workers Union (APWU). He will address a critical letter he sent to congressional leaders regarding the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) recent decision to work in partnership with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the possibility of eliminating watchdog oversight for the agency. The USPS has also revealed plans to cut 10,000 jobs as part of a budget reduction strategy affecting postal workers.

Congressman Al Green stated, “Protecting watchdog oversight is crucial to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the U.S. Postal Service. The impending job cuts threaten not only the livelihoods of dedicated postal workers but also the essential services that our communities rely on. This is precisely why I have called for a congressional hearing—to investigate the implications of these decisions and to ensure that any partnerships do not compromise accountability.”

Click here to watch the Facebook live stream of the event.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Houston, TX) — On Friday, March 14, 2025, Congressman Al Green penned a communique to Congressional leaders raising concerns about the possibility of the congressionally created watchdog that provides oversight of the United States Postal Service (USPS) being eliminated or marginalized as a result of a USPS agreement to work with DOGE. A copy of Congressman Green’s letter is accessible by clicking here. 

In the letter, Congressman Green highlights Postmaster Louis DeJoy’s recent assertions that the watchdog known as the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) is unnecessary. DeJoy’s claim that the PRC impedes a more efficient postal service comes after the watchdog group put out an advisory opinion criticizing DeJoy’s reorganization plan for the United States Postal Service. The watchdog opinion stated that the plan threatens service quality nationwide, something many of my constituents in Houston experienced last winter when significant mail delays caused critical packages to disappear for months, including deliveries such as time-sensitive medications. In his letter, Congressman Green emphasizes the need for accountability, advocating for a Congressional hearing to investigate this issue before any decisions are made that could jeopardize the watchdog’s (Postal Regulatory Commission) authority. 

Congressman Green stated, “The PRC was created by Congress, to protect the postal interests of Americans and ensure effective postal operations. We cannot allow its oversight role to be diminished without thorough examination and Congressional input. It is the PRC (watchdog’s) duty to ensure the USPS remains committed to serving the American public without compromising oversight.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Houston, TX) — On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, the House Financial Services Committee passed the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act out of a committee markup by a vote of 48-0. This bipartisan bill led by Congresswoman Young Kim and Congressman Al Green successfully passed the House of Representatives during the 118th Congress. The legislation aims to ensure that the United States takes action to support Taiwan’s admission to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

The IMF is a major global financial institution that promotes international economic cooperation and assists as a lender of last resort during major crises. Taiwan’s admission and participation in the IMF would not only deepen the nation’s engagement and influence in the global economy, but also strengthen the confidence of foreign institutions and individuals seeking to invest in Taiwan. 

Congressman Al Green stated, “I am proud to have partnered with Rep. Kim in the last Congress to pass the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act, and I thank Rep. Kim for taking the lead on this legislation as we eagerly anticipate its successful passage this Congress. Taiwan deserves to rejoin the IMF, not only because of its status as a vibrant democracy, but also for its dynamic economy that contributes significantly to global growth. Taiwan’s inclusion would enhance the IMF’s mission and promote stability and prosperity, embodying the values we uphold as we advocate for democratic principles worldwide.”