Ethics &
Accountability

Executive Branch Ethics

To hold the executive branch accountable, there needs to be strong, independent institutions in place. That means strengthening and clarifying the authority of the supervising ethics office for the executive branch, protecting the integrity, independence, and ability of Inspectors General to deter and investigate abuse of power without interference, and calling out executive branch officials for ethical lapses.

Featured Work

policy

Private: Ensuring the independence of inspectors general (IGs)

Loopholes in our system allow presidents to overreach and fire IGs for political or personal reasons, undermining the public’s ability to hold government officials accountable.

policy

Private: Preventing the president from abusing their power for personal gain

Congress must reassert itself as a co-equal branch of government and fulfill its constitutionally mandated oversight of the executive branch.

Sign-on letters

Issue One calls on Congress to protect and strengthen nation’s critical IG system

This week, Issue One spearheaded a crosspartisan coalition of 11 organizations calling on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to expeditiously mark up and advance legislation designed to strengthen the Inspectors…

Press releases

Issue One praises anticipated new ethics order from President Biden, criticizes Trump for rescinding his ethics order on way out of White House

Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee issued the following statement today in response to President Joe Biden’s anticipated executive order aimed at enhancing government ethics and lobbying rules: “President Joe…

Analysis

Here’s why modernizing the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) should be on top of the congressional to-do list

In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal involving President Richard Nixon, Congress established the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) in 1978 to provide oversight of the executive branch and prevent — and resolve…

Press releases

It is time to enhance and modernize the Office of Government Ethics (OGE)

As Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Director Walter Shaub leaves office this week, Issue One Chief of Policy, Programs and Strategy Meredith McGehee released the following statement: “Public confidence in…

Featured Press

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Issue One praises anticipated new ethics order from President Biden, criticizes Trump for rescinding his ethics order on way out of White House

Scott Pruitt’s ethical lapses finally catch up to him

White House OMB Director pulls back curtain on the worst of Washington

Anonymous political donations to government sources are a nonstarter

The Latest on Executive Branch Ethics

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Jan 11, 2021

Sign-on letters

Issue One joins 70 groups in urging Congress to impeach President Trump, praises corporations’ decisions to withhold campaign contributions

Issue One today joined with 70 other organizations in calling for the U.S. House of Representatives to act immediately to impeach President Trump for his role in inciting last week’s…

Jul 05, 2018

Press releases

Scott Pruitt’s ethical lapses finally catch up to him

In response to the news that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt resigned today after a months-long series of ethical scandals, Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee issued the following statement: “Scott…

Apr 25, 2018

Press releases

White House OMB Director pulls back curtain on the worst of Washington

Issue One ReFormers Caucus Co-chair former Amb. Tim Roemer (D-IN) issued the following statement in response to White House Office of Management and Budget Director and former member of Congress…

Nov 02, 2017

Testimonies & comments

Issue One comments on the Office of Government Ethics’ (OGE) 2018 Strategic Plan

Issue One’s comments on the Office of Government Ethics’ Strategic Plan The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) has released public stakeholder comments to the agency’s 2018 Strategic Plan. Issue One…

Sep 14, 2017

Press releases

Anonymous political donations to government sources are a nonstarter

In response to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) reversing its own internal policy related to legal defense funds, Issue One Chief of Policy, Programs and Strategy Meredith McGehee issued…