Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy
@levincenter.bsky.social
The Levin Center champions bipartisan, fact-based oversight and is affiliated with Wayne State Law School, but our posts do not present the views of WSU or the Law School.
Happy holidays from the Levin Center!
December 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Happy holidays from the Levin Center!
New report from WXYZ-TV highlights concerns over Oakland County leaders’ private business ties and calls for stronger ethics rules. Levin Center Director @jim-townsend.bsky.social says financial disclosure is key for public trust and accountability.
Read/watch now!
www.wxyz.com/news/local-n...
Read/watch now!
www.wxyz.com/news/local-n...
Advantage or conflict? Oakland County senior leader’s private business deals in question
County officials have come under fire recently over outside jobs and outside business interests, prompting some to call for major ethics reforms.
www.wxyz.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:47 PM
New report from WXYZ-TV highlights concerns over Oakland County leaders’ private business ties and calls for stronger ethics rules. Levin Center Director @jim-townsend.bsky.social says financial disclosure is key for public trust and accountability.
Read/watch now!
www.wxyz.com/news/local-n...
Read/watch now!
www.wxyz.com/news/local-n...
Applications are open for the Elise J. Bean Oversight Fellowship! Early-career scholars can receive $10,000 to conduct original research on congressional or state legislative oversight and produce a scholarly paper. Deadline: Jan. 31. Learn more and apply:
Oversight Fellowship Program - Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy
We provide yearly non-resident fellowships to young career scholars to support their research in legislative oversight.
levin-center.org
December 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Applications are open for the Elise J. Bean Oversight Fellowship! Early-career scholars can receive $10,000 to conduct original research on congressional or state legislative oversight and produce a scholarly paper. Deadline: Jan. 31. Learn more and apply:
The Levin Center is being visited by a very good boy today!
December 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The Levin Center is being visited by a very good boy today!
A federal judge got it right: Congress must be able to conduct unannounced inspections of ICE detention facilities. Real oversight means real-time access—not sanitized tours or delay tactics. Transparency and accountability are not optional.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/u...
ICE Must Allow Lawmakers to Inspect Detention Centers, Judge Rules
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
A federal judge got it right: Congress must be able to conduct unannounced inspections of ICE detention facilities. Real oversight means real-time access—not sanitized tours or delay tactics. Transparency and accountability are not optional.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/u...
Applications are now open for the Elise J. Bean Oversight Fellowship! Early-career scholars can receive $10,000 to support research on legislative oversight by Congress or the 50 state legislatures and produce a scholarly paper.
Apply by Jan 31 📅 Learn more & apply: levin-center.org/levin-center...
Apply by Jan 31 📅 Learn more & apply: levin-center.org/levin-center...
Oversight Fellowship Program - Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy
We provide yearly non-resident fellowships to young career scholars to support their research in legislative oversight.
levin-center.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Applications are now open for the Elise J. Bean Oversight Fellowship! Early-career scholars can receive $10,000 to support research on legislative oversight by Congress or the 50 state legislatures and produce a scholarly paper.
Apply by Jan 31 📅 Learn more & apply: levin-center.org/levin-center...
Apply by Jan 31 📅 Learn more & apply: levin-center.org/levin-center...
“Oversight is a cornerstone of our democracy...The work of holding government accountable is too important to leave in partisan hands," said Sen. Irwin. Michiganders deserve true oversight, which must include working together. We support this effort!
michiganadvance.com/briefs/two-m...
michiganadvance.com/briefs/two-m...
Two Michigan senators are asking for a bicameral, bipartisan legislative oversight committee • Michigan Advance
Legislation recently introduced by a bipartisan duo in the Michigan Senate would create a new oversight committee covering both chambers of the Legislature, and would include an equal number of repres...
michiganadvance.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:48 PM
“Oversight is a cornerstone of our democracy...The work of holding government accountable is too important to leave in partisan hands," said Sen. Irwin. Michiganders deserve true oversight, which must include working together. We support this effort!
michiganadvance.com/briefs/two-m...
michiganadvance.com/briefs/two-m...
Reposted by Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy
"In @ccleavitt.bsky.social's view, good government isn’t possible without good oversight. 'The purpose of Congress is to problem solve, & you can’t solve problems if you are uninformed,' she says." @levincenter.bsky.social
www.smith.edu/news-events/...
www.smith.edu/news-events/...
Smith College Professor Sees Oversight as Key to Good Government
Professor Claire Leavitt received a national award for her research on oversight by Congress.
www.smith.edu
December 11, 2025 at 11:40 PM
"In @ccleavitt.bsky.social's view, good government isn’t possible without good oversight. 'The purpose of Congress is to problem solve, & you can’t solve problems if you are uninformed,' she says." @levincenter.bsky.social
www.smith.edu/news-events/...
www.smith.edu/news-events/...
Credit to Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) for fighting against a bill to cripple NJ’s crucial watchdog agency. Democrats and Republicans alike have a duty to invest in and protect the power and independence of these agencies at the state and federal level.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/n...
Democrats in New Jersey Ram Through Bill to Defang a Corruption Watchdog
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Credit to Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) for fighting against a bill to cripple NJ’s crucial watchdog agency. Democrats and Republicans alike have a duty to invest in and protect the power and independence of these agencies at the state and federal level.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/n...
Read more about Eugene Hasenfus and the Iran-Contra Affair in our Portrait in Oversight!
levin-center.org/what-is-over...
levin-center.org/what-is-over...
December 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Read more about Eugene Hasenfus and the Iran-Contra Affair in our Portrait in Oversight!
levin-center.org/what-is-over...
levin-center.org/what-is-over...
As we near the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the @Levin_Center is launching #Congress250 on Jan. 12—celebrating Congress as the first branch with weekly Friday Facts.
Want to contribute a fact? Submit one and join us!
levin-center.org/congress-250/
Want to contribute a fact? Submit one and join us!
levin-center.org/congress-250/
Congress 250 - Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy
Celebrating 250 years since the Declaration of Independence and the role of Congress as our First Branch of Government.
levin-center.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:01 PM
As we near the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the @Levin_Center is launching #Congress250 on Jan. 12—celebrating Congress as the first branch with weekly Friday Facts.
Want to contribute a fact? Submit one and join us!
levin-center.org/congress-250/
Want to contribute a fact? Submit one and join us!
levin-center.org/congress-250/
Happy Giving Tuesday! What better way to celebrate than contributing to your favorite nonprofit helping to strengthen legislative oversight?
www.givecampus.com/campaigns/37...
www.givecampus.com/campaigns/37...
www.givecampus.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Happy Giving Tuesday! What better way to celebrate than contributing to your favorite nonprofit helping to strengthen legislative oversight?
www.givecampus.com/campaigns/37...
www.givecampus.com/campaigns/37...
Thanks to the Wayne Lawyer for featuring coverage of our 10-Year event in the fall issue!
digital.law.wayne.edu/issue/fall-2...
digital.law.wayne.edu/issue/fall-2...
Fall 2025
In this issue: Propelling First-Generation Students to New Heights, One Success at a Time, Welcoming New Faculty, Meet Jennifer Bird-Pollan, Professor of Law, Alan S. Schenk Endowed Chair in Taxation,...
digital.law.wayne.edu
November 19, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Thanks to the Wayne Lawyer for featuring coverage of our 10-Year event in the fall issue!
digital.law.wayne.edu/issue/fall-2...
digital.law.wayne.edu/issue/fall-2...
Our deepest thanks to the 15 million+ individuals living today who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. On Veterans Day, we honor their service - the time away from home and loved ones, the risks they took, the comrades they supported, and the disabilities many of them incurred. Thank you.
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Our deepest thanks to the 15 million+ individuals living today who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. On Veterans Day, we honor their service - the time away from home and loved ones, the risks they took, the comrades they supported, and the disabilities many of them incurred. Thank you.
"Congress needs to fight harder than it has so far to defend this independent voice that brings to light facts that Congress and the American people need to know," following Trump's firing of more than a dozen, argues Levin Center director @jim-townsend.bsky.social.
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
thehill.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:45 PM
"Congress needs to fight harder than it has so far to defend this independent voice that brings to light facts that Congress and the American people need to know," following Trump's firing of more than a dozen, argues Levin Center director @jim-townsend.bsky.social.
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
Check out the Levin Center's own Lauren Jasinski on WJR Radio's School Talks! She discussed our Learning by Hearings curriculum for high school civics.
open.spotify.com/episode/5lQq...
open.spotify.com/episode/5lQq...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Check out the Levin Center's own Lauren Jasinski on WJR Radio's School Talks! She discussed our Learning by Hearings curriculum for high school civics.
open.spotify.com/episode/5lQq...
open.spotify.com/episode/5lQq...
Check out the new Capitol Quirks reel from our State Oversight Academy! The #Arizona legislature is full of interesting history, including a measles outbreak, a long-serving lady, and a Capitol building design that nobody wanted!
www.instagram.com/p/DQmOz9-jV1g/
www.instagram.com/p/DQmOz9-jV1g/
stateoversightacademy on Instagram: "One thing about studying state legislatures is that they really are 50 different governments with 50 unique histories.The #Arizona …"
One thing about studying state legislatures is that they really are 50 different governments with 50 unique histories.The #Arizona legislature is full of interesting history, including a measles outbreak, a long-serving lady, and a Capitol building design that nobody wanted!From A - Z, here's Capitol Quirks! #stategovernment #statelegislature #AZLEG@arizonahistoricalsociety @arizonasenatedems @azsenaterepublicans @azhousedems@azhousegop
www.instagram.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Check out the new Capitol Quirks reel from our State Oversight Academy! The #Arizona legislature is full of interesting history, including a measles outbreak, a long-serving lady, and a Capitol building design that nobody wanted!
www.instagram.com/p/DQmOz9-jV1g/
www.instagram.com/p/DQmOz9-jV1g/
Happy #Halloween and don't forget to #vote!
October 31, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Happy #Halloween and don't forget to #vote!
Happy #Halloween! Some of our staff have done some impressive decorating at home. Check it out!
October 31, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Happy #Halloween! Some of our staff have done some impressive decorating at home. Check it out!
🎥 Missed our 2025 Oversight Research Award presentation?
Prof. Leavitt of Smith College joined us to discuss how congressional #oversight evolved during the Trump administration and what those lessons reveal about the resilience of democratic institutions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLvm...
Prof. Leavitt of Smith College joined us to discuss how congressional #oversight evolved during the Trump administration and what those lessons reveal about the resilience of democratic institutions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLvm...
“I’ll Be the Oversight”: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era by Prof Leavitt - 2025 Research Award
YouTube video by Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🎥 Missed our 2025 Oversight Research Award presentation?
Prof. Leavitt of Smith College joined us to discuss how congressional #oversight evolved during the Trump administration and what those lessons reveal about the resilience of democratic institutions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLvm...
Prof. Leavitt of Smith College joined us to discuss how congressional #oversight evolved during the Trump administration and what those lessons reveal about the resilience of democratic institutions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLvm...
New in the Oversight Case Law Tracker!
🔹Neguse v. ICE: Members of Congress challenge agency policy restricting access to ICE detention centers.
🔹U.S. v. Rep. McIver: Key ruling on whether congressional staff can be compelled to testify about internal cmte deliberations.
levin-center.org/case-list/
🔹Neguse v. ICE: Members of Congress challenge agency policy restricting access to ICE detention centers.
🔹U.S. v. Rep. McIver: Key ruling on whether congressional staff can be compelled to testify about internal cmte deliberations.
levin-center.org/case-list/
Case List - Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy
Case List To promote a deeper understanding of the oversight case law, we are tracking a list of key Congressional oversight cases. Case Law on Congressional Oversight Although the right […]
levin-center.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:16 PM
New in the Oversight Case Law Tracker!
🔹Neguse v. ICE: Members of Congress challenge agency policy restricting access to ICE detention centers.
🔹U.S. v. Rep. McIver: Key ruling on whether congressional staff can be compelled to testify about internal cmte deliberations.
levin-center.org/case-list/
🔹Neguse v. ICE: Members of Congress challenge agency policy restricting access to ICE detention centers.
🔹U.S. v. Rep. McIver: Key ruling on whether congressional staff can be compelled to testify about internal cmte deliberations.
levin-center.org/case-list/
STARTING SOON!
Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: 2025 Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
We are pleased to announce that Claire Leavitt, Assistant Professor of Government at Smith College, is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for her paper “I’ll be the O...
us02web.zoom.us
October 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
STARTING SOON!
Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
TOMORROW!
RSVP NOW!
Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: 2025 Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
We are pleased to announce that Claire Leavitt, Assistant Professor of Government at Smith College, is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for her paper “I’ll be the O...
us02web.zoom.us
October 29, 2025 at 8:37 PM
TOMORROW!
Reposted by Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy
The Alaska Legislature has so many interesting Capitol Quirks! Check out our newest IG reel to learn more.
www.instagram.com/reel/DQJ8aOs...
www.instagram.com/reel/DQJ8aOs...
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The Alaska Legislature has so many interesting Capitol Quirks! Check out our newest IG reel to learn more.
www.instagram.com/reel/DQJ8aOs...
www.instagram.com/reel/DQJ8aOs...
RSVP NOW!
Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: 2025 Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
We are pleased to announce that Claire Leavitt, Assistant Professor of Government at Smith College, is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for her paper “I’ll be the O...
us02web.zoom.us
October 27, 2025 at 2:59 PM
RSVP NOW!
Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Prof. Claire Leavitt (Smith College) is the recipient of our 2025 Award for Excellence in Oversight Research for “I’ll be the Oversight: Lessons from the (First) Trump Era." She will present her award-winning paper on Oct. 30 from 12:15–1:30 PM ET.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...