U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, has called on Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought to reverse a decision that restricts funding for whistleblower resources across federal agencies.
According to Cantwell, OMB recently withheld funds from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), which manages a central whistleblower hotline and website used by independent inspectors general at agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These resources are intended to allow government employees and members of the public to report misconduct, fraud, or abuse involving taxpayer dollars.
Cantwell stated in a letter to Vought: “OMB is withholding these funds even though Congress has already appropriated funding to support these vital whistleblower resources, even during a government shutdown. In other words, it appears the Trump Administration is not only illegally withholding congressional funding once again; it is choosing to undermine efforts to prevent corruption and combat misuse of taxpayer dollars.”
She also noted concerns about previous actions by OMB. “This is not the first time this Committee has been informed that OMB is illegally withholding congressional funds and undermining the effective operation of our government,” Cantwell wrote. She cited information from NASA whistleblowers alleging that OMB had directed NASA since early summer to begin implementing significant budget cuts outlined in President Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget before Congressional approval.
A recent committee report released by Cantwell provided further details based on whistleblower accounts and documents indicating that OMB leadership instructed NASA officials to move forward with proposed cuts without regard for their potential impact on science missions or staff.
The CIGIE-managed website Oversight.gov, which previously offered reporting capabilities for 28 Offices of Inspector General including those under NSF, CPSC, and FTC oversight, has been taken offline due to lack of funding apportionment. The site now displays a message stating: “Due to a lack of apportionment of funds, this website is currently unavailable.” Cantwell warned that without access to such platforms, federal watchdogs face obstacles in fulfilling their responsibilities under privacy laws for whistleblowers as well as sharing audit reports or educating awardees about research security.
Cantwell urged immediate action: “I am calling on you to reverse course and release these funds immediately.” She added her approval for OMB’s recent reversal regarding another oversight committee’s funding but pressed for similar treatment for CIGIE so inspectors general can continue efforts against waste and corruption.
The full text of Cantwell’s letter was made available along with her statement.
