As Democrats prepare to take control of the US House of Representatives, they face a challenge in investigating the Trump administration. The saga of the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) report on Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ initiative has highlighted the difficulties in obtaining information from federal agencies. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), and other agencies have reportedly refused to fully cooperate, raising questions about the effectiveness of congressional oversight.

Professor Emily Berman of the University of Houston suggests that Congress may need to use coercion, such as withholding funds or going to court, to enforce accountability. The GAO, as Congress’ primary investigative body, cannot enforce laws, but it can request information and conduct audits. However, the resistance from agencies has limited its ability to provide assurance that federal programs are appropriately managed.

The GAO spokesperson, Sarah Kaczmarek, stated that agencies have faced increased challenges in providing requested information. This obstruction is not just limited to the DOGE report; the Department of Commerce is also reported to be refusing to cooperate with Senator Ron Wyden’s request for an investigation into export controls. Despite these challenges, Congress is preparing to use their subpoena power to enforce cooperation, indicating a potential hostile approach in the upcoming Congress.

The article highlights the ongoing struggle between legislative and executive branches, suggesting that the next Congress might see a more assertive stance from lawmakers. The question remains: can Congress outlast the administration's resistance?