Senator McCaskill: McCaskill Calls for Inspector General Reform

Senator's first bill would strengthen key oversight offices of the federal government

June 28, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thirty years after Congress first created Inspector General (IG) offices to review the efficiency of government programs, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill introduced legislation to further strengthen the system and ensure that government remains fully accountable to its citizens. The legislation, entitled the Improving Government Accountability Act, would work to guarantee qualified individuals are appointed to inspector general positions, IGs remain independent from inappropriate influence or pressure from the government agencies they oversee, and IG reports are easily accessible to the public.

“If we can’t keep government accountable to the people, we aren’t doing our job,” McCaskill said. “Inspectors General have been rooting out government waste and inefficiencies for three decades, and it’s time to update our laws to make sure that these offices have the tools and resources they need to remain independent and effective watchdogs for decades to come.”

Recent allegations against a few IG and government officials have called into question whether current law goes far enough to ensure that IG offices fulfill their designed purpose. In the case of NASA IG Robert Cobb, who had no audit or investigatory experience before his appointment, he has been accused of consulting with agency heads for guidance and interfering with search warrants, apparently trying to protect the agency from public embarrassment.

Other IGs have been tied to potential misconduct as well. The Office of Special Council concluded that Department of Commerce IG Johnnie Frazier had wrongfully retaliated against employees who had questioned his excessive travel, and the Acting IG for the Environmental Protection Agency is currently being investigated for his plan to cut 60 staff members. Around the same time, he took a $15,000 bonus from the agency. In an instance of apparent misconduct by agency officials, former Homeland Security IG Kent Irvin has claimed he was not re-appointed to his position because some in the agency had labeled him a “traitor and a turncoat.”

McCaskill’s bill – the first to which she is the lead sponsor – will strengthen IG offices by addressing some of the systematic problems that have led to such incidents.

Specifically, the legislation will require that:

- All IGs be appointed for seven years and are removable only for cause. Congress must be notified about the removal of an IG before it occurs and given a specific reason for the action

- No IG can accept a bonus

- Instead of submitting their annual budget requests to the agencies they oversee, IGs would submit those requests to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and to Congress. OMB is the budget arm of the entire executive branch that determines the Administration’s budget request to Congress.

- All IGs have their own legal counsel, allowing them to avoid a conflict of interest created by using agency counsels

- The Council on Integrity and Efficiency for Inspectors General will receive, review, and refer for investigation allegations of wrongdoing against Inspectors General or certain other staff members. In the event of a vacancy, the Council for Integrity and Efficiency will recommend three possible replacements to the appointing authority.

- Credentials required of all IGs would be strengthened to assure that those in these oversight positions have oversight and management experience.

- All IG websites be directly accessible from the home pages of agency websites and reports are posted within 24 hours of their release. An informal survey of government agencies found that many IG websites are not updated regularly and many agencies fail to include direct links to the IG page on their website.
The legislation is similar to a bill that is gaining momentum in the House of Representatives. Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN)’s bill was the subject of a recent House oversight committee hearing.

"IGs are the government's first line of defense against waste, fraud and abuse. Sen. McCaskill has already built an impressive reputation as a Senate watchdog, and I'm thrilled to have her leading the fight over there for IG reform. I'm confident we can convince our colleagues to strengthen the role of IGs and give them greater independence" Cooper said.

McCaskill’s legislation also has been endorsed by the Project for Government Oversight (POGO), a non-profit government watchdog.

Source: Senator Claire McCaskill