Insights from the Hill
Oversight: Fact or Fiction?

Before I begin my revelry, I would like to take a moment to thank FASS and, in particular, the FASS Board and former Vice President–Scientific Liaison, Barb Glenn, for awarding me this amazing opportunity that I have had over the past year. I would also like to thank Chuck Sapp, Ruth Ann Fleenor, Amy Kemp, and Dave Meeker for all of their assistance in ensuring that the administrative aspects of my fellowship went flawlessly. Like many fellows who have come before me, I can attest that this year has been like no other year in my life. It has been quite different from the science arena, to say the least, and somewhat indescribable to those who have never spent time on the Hill. The Hill truly is its own little microcosm. Relatively speaking, only a handful of people are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to see, let alone be a part of, the inner workings of Congress, and I must say this experience has been invaluable. So...thank you, FASS.

Oversight?

For those of you who may feel hazy about what this process of “oversight” is, or is meant to be, oversight is the other critical task given to Congress by the framers of our Constitution to supervise the proper enactment of legislation by the Executive Branch. It is accomplished by many means, such as informal phone calls or formal letters to an executive agency or even on-site visits to assess programs. However, the most visible form is the Congressional hearing. For most Americans, the process of oversight is commonly forgotten or is nonexistent, because of simple public ignorance. For those not on the Hill who do remember oversight from their high school civics class or the introductory college political science course in which they occasionally slept, many wonder if it still exists. These folks are not alone.

In mid fall last year, around the time of the elections, questions of the oversight process were buzzing around the press. In conjunction with the 9/11 Commission Report Hearings, several articles in the press were scolding Congress for evading its oversight duties. Then, following the elections, Republicans, Democrats, and others within and outside of the political arena wondered if the oversight process now would be even more nonexistent with a Republican administration and a cooperative, Republican-dominated Congress.

During this time in mid fall, the irony was not lost on me. Congress was being publically scolded during one of the most publicized and monumental Congressional oversight hearings of the 21st century. For me personally, I also chuckled because, from the minute I set foot on Capital Hill, the vast majority of my endeavors were oversight duties. Over the past year, most of my days were spent determining whether programs that USDA, HHS, and DHS were implementing were competent to address Mad Cow, Avian Flu, the potential threats of Food and Mouth Disease, Rift Valley Fever, agroterrorism, and general food safety as it applies to agricultural issues. The impetus for all of my legislative efforts was catalyzed by oversight duties. So, yes, my fellow animal scientists, I want to ensure you that the oversight process is alive and active, although it may not be apparent to the public. Conversely, I would be remiss not to mention that I have witnessed several pressing oversight opportunities among the various Congressional committees lost, seemingly purposefully unaddressed in an effort not to make waves with the administration.

Upon reflection, it occurred to me that the the oversight process is the self-correcting engine that keeps the government wheels of progress moving forward. This is contrary to the public perception that oversight is the lift that keeps the governement wheels from hitting the pavement. In the public area, oversight is commonly used by the Congressional minority to highlight the flaws and inadequecies of the majority and administration, but the underpinnings of this process force both Congress and the administration to continuously reflect upon the efficacy of the programs and policies over which they have jurisdiction and act accordingly. I am not suggesting that this system is perfect by any means, but it occurred to me that very few understand, and rightly so, what they cannot see.

Marcia Noble
Marcia_Noble@agriculture.senate.gov