1、Congressional Research Service ? The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web97-936 GOVUpdated January 2, 2001Congressional OversightFrederick M. KaiserSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryCongressional oversight of policy impl
2、ementation and administration, which hasoccurred throughout the U.S. government experience under the Constitution, takes avariety of forms and utilizes various techniques. These range from specializedinvestigations by select committees to annual appropriations hearings, and from informalcommunicatio
3、ns between Members or congressional staff and executive personnel to theuse of extra congressional mechanisms, such as offices of inspector general and studycommissions. Oversight, moreover, is supported by a variety of authoritiestheConstitution, public law, and chamber and committee rulesand is an
4、 integral part ofthe system of checks and balances between the legislature and the executive. This reportwill be updated as events require.Organization and OperationsCongressional oversight refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federalagencies, programs, activities, and policy impleme