Documents Show ‘Cozy’ Relationship Between Amazon-Backed Lobbyists And USPS Regulator
As the U.S. Senate prepares to consider bipartisan, yet controversial postal reform legislation, document disclosures show what a government watchdog calls a "cozy" relationship between the independent regulator of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the lobbyists working to shape the legislation favorably for their clients. The Functional Government Initiative (FGI) has stated they initiated numerous Freedom of Information Act requests to examine how USPS and its shareholders are countering competition from the private sector, carrying out efforts to eliminate contraband from its service, and dealing with rising retiree health costs.
Records show extensive communications between ‘Package Coalition’ lobbyists and Postal Service regulator
According to a statement from the Functional Government Initiative (FGI), the documents show a connection between the The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), a regulator responsible for transparency and oversight of USPS operations, and lobbyists for a coalition of package companies that include Amazon and eBay (known as the “Package Coalition”), which have relied on USPS to reduce one of their largest operating costs.
FGI Announces an Investigation into Postal Service Operations
One of the most visible symbols of government, USPS is experiencing substantial challenges
February 17, ...
FGI Seeks Records on Government’s Covid Response
The Functional Government Initiative (FGI) announced a broad investigation of the federal government’s response to COVID-19 and how that response impacts government operations and the lives of American citizens. FGI seeks to determine the foundation of decisions that have changed the operating posture of the government and, in some cases, may have weakened trust in some of its most important institutions.
FGI Seeks Records into IRS Abuses and Efforts to Expand Authority
The Functional Government Initiative (FGI) is seeking a range of records from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and related agencies as the nation’s tax collector is requesting a significant expansion of taxing and enforcement authority through its budget and personnel. The full analysis and economic reasoning behind the agency’s recent proposals remain hidden from public view, and it is unclear whether it would yield the benefits claimed by senior officials.
Government watchdog group investigating DOJ’s Legal Counsel for possible involvement in “hostile takeover” at FDIC
By Andy Nghiem (DOJ Newswire)
Jan 31, 2022
The U.S. Department of Justice's Legal Counsel is under ...
Functional Government Initiative: Investigating an Attempted “Hostile Takeover” of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The Functional Government Initiative today requested records from four federal agencies that will provide transparency into actions by senior banking regulators that raise questions over the future of independent agencies. FDIC board member and director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Rohit Chopra was among the leading voices supporting what former FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams called an attempted “hostile takeover.” The FDIC is responsible for insuring deposits and promoting the stability of the nation’s banking system. Its chairman is appointed to a five-year term, meant to insulate the agency from quickly changing policy agendas after presidential elections. By the FDIC’s longstanding policies and practices, the FDIC chairman sets the agenda of the agency and supervises its staff as CEO.
No results found.