Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy

10/20/2026

The State Oversight Academy presented at the Michigan Political Science Association Conference last week! Kyle and Jahan presented a grounded theory approach to analyzing state legislative oversight hearings. They developed the Dimensions of Accountability by coding 52 hearings from four state oversight committees, showing that oversight effectiveness depends not only on institutional design but also on how actors use tools, how legitimacy is constructed, and how information is framed.

10/19/2026

Our Levin Center Legal Summer Interns are the best! Hear about their experiences working in congressional oversight (sub)committees in D.C. and apply for next year's internship program!

10/19/2026

"Because courts so rarely wade into oversight matters, the factual precedents that the branches create through their practice take on enormous importance." -- Dr. Sara Zdeb

Watch the presentation by Professor Sara Zdeb, recipient of the 2026 Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research, of her award-winning paper, Cooperative Oversight and the Separation of Powers. In this timely and innovative work, Professor Zdeb challenges the conventional assumption that Congress can strengthen its oversight authority only through conflict with the executive branch. Instead, she explores how cooperation between Congress and the executive branch during periods of unified government can create precedents that enhance Congress’s ability to obtain information and conduct effective oversight in the future. Following the presentation, participants engage in a discussion of the paper’s implications for congressional oversight, separation of powers, and executive accountability.

Watch the presentation by Professor Sara Zdeb, recipient of the 202...

10/16/2026

2008 saw the worst financial crisis since 1929. Many congressional committees conducted investigations. Senate’s PSI conducted the most bipartisan and comprehensive work. Led by Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich) and Tom Coburn (R-OK), the staff was directed to work together. Hearings and the report delved deeply into details and provided momentum and a roadmap to reform. Financial firms subject to PSI review faced significant civil enforcement proceedings.

For full account, see: https://levin-center.org/what-is-oversight/portraits/financial-crisis/

10/13/2026

https://www.understandingcongress.org/senator-levin-and-the-right-kind-of-congressional-politics/

Editor’s note: Philip Wallach delivered this speech at Wayne State University’s Levin Center on September 17, 2026. His address was given at the conference, Could Rebooting Congress Help Save American Democracy? I’m here today to speak up for Congress, America’s political branch. What do we ...

10/12/2026

Join the Carl Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy for a presentation by Professor Sara Zdeb, recipient of the 2026 Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research, on her award-winning paper, Cooperative Oversight and the Separation of Powers. In this timely and innovative work, Profess...

10/09/2026

On 12/2/2001, Enron, the 7th largest publicly traded company, filed for bankruptcy. 25,000 people lost their jobs and $3.2 billion in pension savings and retirement funds. Enron’s auditor, Arthur Andersen, also folded amid the scandal, putting 28,000 people out of work. Multiple committees investigated accounting fraud, self-dealing, excessive executive pay, offshore dealings, and tax dodging. It was a remarkable effort by Congress that closed a trading loophole used by Enron and led to the establishment of the CFTC. Good to remember important fixes Congress established and why.

For full account see: https://levin-center.org/what-is-oversight/portraits/congress-and-the-enron-scandal/

10/08/2026

A worthwhile read on how to restore Congress's Article I powers.

Trump and his allies in the Capitol have revealed a problem that has been developing for decades.

10/05/2026

With Project On Government Oversight and The Lugar Center, we hosted the 23rd Oversight Boot Camp Oct. 1–2, bringing together congressional staff from both chambers and parties for hands-on oversight training. Thanks to instructors Dave Rapallo, Zack Schram, Lauren Holmes, and Tim Stretton!

10/02/2026

We are delighted to announce that the Levin Center’s Congressional Oversight Records Database (CORD) is expanding by adding the House Ethics Committee, Senate Ethics Committee, and House Armed Services Committee to its collection:

U.S. House Ethics Committee: 99 reports from 1995 - 2025

U.S. Senate Ethics Committee: 20 reports from 2008 - 2026

U.S. House Armed Services Committee: 66 reports from 1992-2024

In total, this release adds 185 oversight reports, bringing the total number of congressional oversight reports housed in CORD to 2,504 from 36 congressional committees (and individual members’ offices). Click below to explore the database and our new additions!