Congressman Cohen Introduces Independent Acting Inspectors General Act

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today introduced the Independent Acting Inspectors Generals Act aimed at insulating both permanent and acting inspectors general – appointed to investigate waste, fraud and abuse in their agencies and departments – from political interference.

President Donald Trump fired inspectors general as one of his first acts in office. Federal inspectors general were created in 1978 to establish independent oversight of federal agencies.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement: 

“With this Administration’s staggering abuses and evident corruption, inspectors general are more important than ever. Donald Trump’s attack on the IG system reveals his true intentions.  He isn’t interested in rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse – what independent IGs are charged with doing.  Rather, he wants to remove the independent IGs so he and his cronies can corrupt the agencies for their own purposes.  Tru0ly independent IGs would shed light on those designs and potentially prevent corruption.”

The Independent Acting Inspectors General Act would automatically make the Deputy IG the acting IG if the position is vacant.  If both positions are vacant, the courts, rather than the President, will, with recommendations from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, appoint the acting IG.  The President will no longer be able to fire “the cops on the beat” and replace them with his cronies.  Even if the position becomes vacant again, the appointment stays with the judiciary until a permanent IG, nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, is sworn in. 

# # #