Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sought access to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR), a legislative branch agency that oversees workplace complaints about discrimination, harassment, and accessibility on Capitol Hill. According to three congressional employees, the request was denied by OCWR staff, who emphasized the agency’s independence from executive oversight. This effort follows a broader pattern of efforts by the Trump administration to exert influence over other congressional watchdog agencies, including the Library of Congress and the Government Accountability, where DOGE had previously attempted to place a downsizing team.
The OCWR, housed in the Adams Building of the Library of Congress, has been instrumental in addressing workplace issues since the #MeToo movement. It oversees complaints of sexual or racial harassment and guides victims through a confidential reporting process, with financial responsibility for harassment settlements shifting to individual members of Congress. However, the attempt by DOGE has sparked concerns about the potential breach of separation of powers and the exposure of sensitive employee data.
Former Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.), who oversaw the reforms during the #MeToo movement, criticized the DOGE’s actions as politically motivated. She noted that the agency’s attempts were likely aimed at uncovering information about Democrats, calling the efforts “the most egregious thing” that could result from the breach.
While the OCWR maintains its independence, the ongoing political tensions and attempts by DOGE have raised questions about the integrity of the agency’s operations and the potential consequences of unauthorized access to its sensitive data.