Dear Mr. President:
We write to urge you to take swift action to address the vacant inspector general positions in the federal government and nominate qualified individuals to these positions. As members of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, we have a duty to conduct oversight of executive branch agencies. Integral to that oversight is the work of inspectors general to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs.
There are currently 13 vacant presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed, inspector general positions. These include the inspectors general for the Departments of State, Treasury, Defense, Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education; and the Intelligence Community; the U.S. Agency for International Development; the Central Intelligence Agency; the Export-Import Bank; the Federal Communications Commission; the Office of Personnel Management; and the Tennessee Valley Authority. An additional vacancy exists at the International Trade Commission-an agency-appointed inspector general. Ten of these positions have been vacant for over a year and four positions have been vacant for more than five years.
There is no substitute for the steadying effect of Senate-confirmed leadership. Although many acting inspectors general have admirably performed their watchdog responsibilities, the lack of a confirmed leader threatens to impede the ability of these offices to conduct the oversight and investigations necessary to ensure that taxpayer dollars are protected, public safety risks are identified, and that whistleblowers who expose waste, fraud, and abuse are protected. In addition, the lack of a confirmed inspector general can create the potential for conflicts of interest and diminish the essential independence of inspectors general.
Inspectors general have a dual reporting responsibility-both to the head of their respective agency and to Congress. Agency heads rely on inspectors general to ensure their agencies are effectively carrying out their duties and serving the American people. Congress relies on inspectors general to report on notable activity and concerning actions at their respective agencies, and also provide invaluable testimony to Congress on various matters. This ensures Congress maintains operative and reliable insight into agency actions.
As you continue to submit nominations for your administration, we respectfully request that you prioritize nominating inspectors general to fill those vacancies. We stand ready to work with you and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency to identify and confirm qualified and capable candidates for these positions.
We thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
