Government Accountability

WASHINGTON—Representatives Katie Porter (CA-45), Jackie Speier (CA-14), and Francis Rooney (FL-19) announced a bipartisan proposal yesterday that would increase public accountability for the Pentagon. Their measure requires the Department of Defense to put all unclassified reports on a publicly accessible website. Each year, the Pentagon is required to report on dozens of topics ranging from proje... Read more »

WASHINGTON—U.S. Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) and U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (CA) today blasted the Trump Administration for withholding information from the public about a $650 billion program intended to support small businesses. The two demanded release of data about who is receiving forgivable loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and in what amounts. “Millions of Americans ... Read more »

WASHINGTON—U.S. Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) and U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (CA) today called on Congressional leadership to remove a roadblock hampering oversight of taxpayer dollars going to large corporations. In a letter, Porter and Harris urged leaders of both parties to quickly appoint a Chairperson of the Congressional Oversight Commission, which oversees a $500 billion fund for ba... Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today introduced legislation to increase transparency and accountability for a loan program aimed at providing relief for small businesses feeling the squeeze during the coronavirus pandemic. Her bill would require all loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to be made public. “The PPP is the last line of defense for millions of American work... Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today introduced legislation to increase accountability for federal agency heads and other officials that have not been vetted by the Senate. Her Accountability for Acting Officials Act would limit who can serve as an “acting” official and for how long, closing various loopholes in the current law. The bill would also ramp up transparency and reporting... Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) has released a report showing that mask and ventilator exports from the United States increased dramatically in the early months of 2020. The report also revealed that President Trump's promised federal contracts for personal protective equipment and ventilators will not be completed until long after the peak of the coronavirus outbreak. “Congress must... Read more »

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today called out Trump Administration officials for a proposal that would enable debt collection practices that place patients’ private information at risk. The Administration’s new policy, which allows debt collectors to use unsecured means of communication, is particularly concerning for Americans with medical debt, as the lack of data security could... Read more »

Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) and Congressman Max Rose (NY-11) introduced the Transparency in Executive Branch Officials’ Finances Act as part of their continued efforts to root out corruption in Washington by requiring additional accountability and transparency measures for political appointees and direct family members of the President and Vice President. “This should not be a controversial... Read more »

Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today called out the Trump Administration’s inadequate response to oversight efforts demanding transparency from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In July, Rep. Porter sent a letter to EPA expressing alarm about a new regulation that would make it easier for polluters to overturn environmental protections in secret, without transparency for the public. T... Read more »

Today, the House of Representatives passed a bill authored by Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) to make it easier for working parents to run for federal office. The Help America Run Act would clarify that candidates are permitted to use campaign contributions to pay for child care, elder care, dependent care, and healthcare premiums and passed the House with unanimous, bipartisan support. “As a s... Read more »