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REP LIEU COMMENDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF HIS INSPECTOR GENERAL PROTECTION ACT BILL

June 29, 2021

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) released the following statement after the House passed the IG Independence and Empowerment Act, which includes his bill, the Inspector General Protection Act, to enhance the independence and integrity of the federal government's inspectors general. The IG Protection Act will require federal agencies and departments to notify Congress before enacting a personnel change, and require the President to report to Congress if an IG has not been nominated for 210 days after a position becomes vacant.

"Inspectors general are crucial to rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse in our government. They play a vital role in ensuring government accountability. However, the work of IGs has been hindered by persistent vacancies and underfunded budgets, particularly under the former Administration. The former President also tried to circumvent IGs. My bill helps address these issues by requiring that Congress be notified before a personnel change is made, and that the President report to Congress if an IG hasn't been nominated to fill a vacancy after 210 days. The legislation that passed the House today includes additional reforms to strengthen the independence of IGs, including protections against firings of IGs based on political retaliation. I'm pleased these reforms passed the House and urge the Senate to take up this legislation."
The Inspector General Protection Act is endorsed by Project on Government Oversight (POGO), R Street Institute, American Oversight, Campaign for Accountability, Common Cause, and Public Citizen.

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