Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy

Democrats in New Jersey Ram Through Bill to Defang a Corruption Watchdog

Credit to Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) for fighting against a bill to cripple NJ’s crucial watchdog agency. Democrats and Republicans alike have a duty to invest in and protect the power and independence of these agencies at the state and federal level.

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/n...

Read more about Eugene Hasenfus and the Iran-Contra Affair in our Portrait in Oversight!

levin-center.org/what-is-over...

Congress 250 - Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy Celebrating 250 years since the Declaration of Independence and the role of Congress as our First Branch of Government.

As we near the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the @Levin_Center is launching #Congress250 on Jan. 12—celebrating Congress as the first branch with weekly Friday Facts.

Want to contribute a fact? Submit one and join us!

levin-center.org/congress-250/

Happy Giving Tuesday! What better way to celebrate than contributing to your favorite nonprofit helping to strengthen legislative oversight?

www.givecampus.com/campaigns/37...

Fall 2025 In this issue: Propelling First-Generation Students to New Heights, One Success at a Time, Welcoming New Faculty, Meet Jennifer Bird-Pollan, Professor of Law, Alan S. Schenk Endowed Chair in Taxation,...

Thanks to the Wayne Lawyer for featuring coverage of our 10-Year event in the fall issue!

digital.law.wayne.edu/issue/fall-2...

Our deepest thanks to the 15 million+ individuals living today who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. On Veterans Day, we honor their service - the time away from home and loved ones, the risks they took, the comrades they supported, and the disabilities many of them incurred. Thank you.

"Congress needs to fight harder than it has so far to defend this independent voice that brings to light facts that Congress and the American people need to know," following Trump's firing of more than a dozen, argues Levin Center director @jim-townsend.bsky.social.

thehill.com/opinion/cong...

Check out the Levin Center's own Lauren Jasinski on WJR Radio's School Talks! She discussed our Learning by Hearings curriculum for high school civics.

open.spotify.com/episode/5lQq...

stateoversightacademy on Instagram: "One thing about studying state legislatures is that they really are 50 different governments with 50 unique histories.The #Arizona …" One thing about studying state legislatures is that they really are 50 different governments with 50 unique histories.The #Arizona legislature is full of interesting history, including a measles outbreak, a long-serving lady, and a Capitol building design that nobody wanted!From A - Z, here's Capitol Quirks! #stategovernment #statelegislature #AZLEG@arizonahistoricalsociety @arizonasenatedems @azsenaterepublicans @azhousedems@azhousegop

Check out the new Capitol Quirks reel from our State Oversight Academy! The #Arizona legislature is full of interesting history, including a measles outbreak, a long-serving lady, and a Capitol building design that nobody wanted!

www.instagram.com/p/DQmOz9-jV1g/

Happy #Halloween and don't forget to #vote!

Happy #Halloween! Some of our staff have done some impressive decorating at home. Check it out!

YouTube video by Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy “I’ll Be the Oversight”: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era by Prof Leavitt - 2025 Research Award

🎥 Missed our 2025 Oversight Research Award presentation?

Prof. Leavitt of Smith College joined us to discuss how congressional #oversight evolved during the Trump administration and what those lessons reveal about the resilience of democratic institutions.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLvm...

Case List - Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy Case List To promote a deeper understanding of the oversight case law, we are tracking a list of key Congressional oversight cases. Case Law on Congressional Oversight Although the right […]

New in the Oversight Case Law Tracker!

🔹Neguse v. ICE: Members of Congress challenge agency policy restricting access to ICE detention centers.
🔹U.S. v. Rep. McIver: Key ruling on whether congressional staff can be compelled to testify about internal cmte deliberations.

levin-center.org/case-list/

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: 2025 Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. We are pleased to announce that Claire Leavitt, Assistant Professor of Government at Smith College, is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for her paper “I’ll be the O...

STARTING SOON!

Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.

us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

TOMORROW!

The Alaska Legislature has so many interesting Capitol Quirks! Check out our newest IG reel to learn more.

www.instagram.com/reel/DQJ8aOs...

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: 2025 Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. We are pleased to announce that Claire Leavitt, Assistant Professor of Government at Smith College, is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for her paper “I’ll be the O...

RSVP NOW!

Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.

us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

The Alaska Legislature has so many interesting Capitol Quirks! Check out our newest IG reel to learn more.

www.instagram.com/reel/DQJ8aOs...

Trump Dismisses Another Inspector General, Fueling Oversight Concerns

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...

That’s why IG’s are the best defense against the misuse of taxpayer funds. Congress must step up to demand compliance with the law and to protect the independence of our IG’s. (2/3)

President Trump has again removed another inspector general (Export/Import Bank) without any apparent justification. IG’s by law are to serve “without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity…" (1/3)

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: 2025 Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. We are pleased to announce that Claire Leavitt, Assistant Professor of Government at Smith College, is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for her paper “I’ll be the O...

Prof. Claire Leavitt at @smithcollege is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET. RSVP!

us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Thanks to all who attended our panel this morning at the Michigan Political Science Association Conference!

We had a great time at #MIPSA2025! The State Oversight Academy participated in the poster session last night and a panel today on our recent research on state legislatures and performance audits.

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: 2025 Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. We are pleased to announce that Claire Leavitt, Assistant Professor of Government at Smith College, is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for her paper “I’ll be the O...

Prof. Claire Leavitt at @smithcollege is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET. RSVP!

us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Congrats to Prof. Jack Mogk, who serves as the chair of our Faculty Advisory Board, for his well-deserved John W. Reed Michigan Lawyer Legacy Award. We have all benefited from his dedication to the law, @waynelawschool.bsky.social, and the city of Detroit.

law.wayne.edu/news/decades...

📢 New Committees Added to CORD!

Our Congressional Oversight Reports Database (CORD) added 134 new reports from:
- Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation
- Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
- House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Available for FREE!

www.cord-levin-center.org

Trump administration moves to defund inspector general watchdog group The decision marks the latest example of the administration’s push to limit government oversight activities.

The Trump Administration's move to cancel funding for the CIGIE is a grave mistake that GOP leaders in the Senate are condemning. CIGIE saved $71 billion in federal $ in 2024, or $18 for every $1 it spends. Congress must defend CIGIE funding now.

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

CRs and omnibus spending bills gut Congress’ authority over the agencies they are authorizing, funding, and, crucially, overseeing. Shorn of their ability to choose what to fund, Congress loses its ability to hold executive agencies accountable.