Letter to the President - Vacant Inspector General Positions

Letter

Dear Mr. President:

As the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee with primary jurisdiction in the House of Representatives over Inspectors General (I Gs), we write today to urge you to nominate qualified, independent individuals to fill several vacant IG positions.

Inspectors General are essential to the functions of federal government. They have the authority to root out waste, fraud and abuse, and ensure taxpayer money is safeguarded. Their investigations and audits provide a vital function for agencies by identifying deficiencies and mismanagement in federal programs and operations, as well as by reporting on misconduct of federal officials. IGs also provide countless benefits to taxpayers. For every dollar invested in IGs, there is an estimated return of investment of $14; or $36.6 billion in Fiscal Year 2015
alone. 1

There are currently 11 federal agencies which lack a permanent Inspector General. 2 The majority of these vacancies have been open for long periods. 3 For instance, the Central Intelligence Agency, Export-Import Bank, Department of Energy, and Department of Defense have all operated without a permanent IG for over a year. 4 The Department of the Interior (DOI) has gone the longest without a permanent Inspector General. DOI's last IG left office on February 23, 2009, leaving the DOI Office of the Inspector General without permanent leadership for over seven years. 5 For these reasons, the Committee and other Members of Congress have previously written to your administration and past administrations to stress the need for timely appointments of permanent I Gs. 6

Independent oversight of federal agencies by I Gs is essential for ensuring agencies serve the public in the most effective manner possible. Therefore, we respectfully request that you nominate capable and independent individuals for the remaining vacant Inspector General positions expeditiously.

Sincerely,

Source