In November 2008, OMB Watch, together with a diverse set of organizations and individuals, presented Barack Obama (who was then President-elect) and Congress with recommendations on how to improve government transparency, advance Americans' right to know, reform the regulatory process, and ensure that federal agencies are working to advance the public interest. OMB Watch has assessed the Obama administration's work on government transparency and regulatory reform at the 100-day mark.

On April 20, the Bailout Watch project, of which OMB Watch is a part, officially launched its website, www.bailoutwatch.net. The website, created and maintained by OpenTheGovernment.org on behalf of the project, is a clearinghouse for anyone interested in the financial bailout. The site includes the latest news, official reports, scheduled hearings and events, commentary, analysis, investigations, and research related to the bailout. The project headquarters also helps users track freedom of information requests and responses and provides a forum where the public can follow expert debate on major issues.

Visit Bailout Watch's official online headquarters.

In this video, OMB Watch Executive Director Gary D. Bass explores current opportunities to dramatically improve government transparency in the United States. Bass notes that the Obama administration, the general public, and government openness advocates from across the political spectrum will have to come together like never before to overcome three major hurdles that are keeping the federal government from reaching its full transparency potential: policy, technology, and a culture of secrecy within agencies.