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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Nov 09, 2016

Press releases

Statement of Nick Penniman: Donald Trump rides into the White House on a wave of populism and now it is time to reform the system

Following Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential contest early Wednesday morning, Issue One Executive Director Nick Penniman released the following statement: Donald Trump rides into the White House on a…

Oct 20, 2016

Press releases

Statement: Meredith McGehee on the final presidential debate

Following tonight’s presidential debate, Meredith McGehee, Issue One’s chief of policy, programs and strategy issued the following statement: Should Hillary Clinton become president, it is imperative for her to commit to create…

May 18, 2016

Archived

This one cool trick will get you a meeting with the president

It’s another dirty not-so-secret in Washington circles: donate to the charity or foundation of a member of Congress or the president, and it helps your chances to meet them. In…