WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) in launching the bipartisan Inspector General (IG) Caucus. The IG Caucus will support federal watchdogs in their efforts to ensure government accountability and compliance with the law.
“Inspectors General play an essential role in protecting taxpayer dollars and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in the executive branch,” Grassley said. “I rely heavily on these independent watchdogs when carrying out my constitutional responsibility of oversight, and I’m glad to join Senator Ernst’s effort to support their invaluable work.”
“Inspectors General serve a vital role in uncovering waste in Washington and must be empowered to continue looking out for taxpayers,” Ernst said. “From identifying billion-dollar boondoggles to exposing a federal workforce that is permanently out of office, their work has been invaluable in my decade-long mission to uncover waste and make Washington squeal. I look forward to this caucus continuing to allow IGs to do tremendous work and find more ways to downsize government and eliminate inefficiencies.”
Background:
Congress in 1978 established Offices of Inspectors General at various federal agencies to serve as “independent and objective units” within the federal government. IGs are responsible for: conducting audits and investigations; promoting efficiency; deterring fraud and abuse; and fully informing agency heads and Congress about interagency problems.
Last Congress, Grassley introduced bipartisan legislation to safeguard Offices of Inspectors General from partisan political activity and demanded they continue fortifying protections for whistleblowers. Grassley also played a key role in the 2016 passage of the Inspector General Empowerment Act, which included his language to ensure IGs receive timely access to all records necessary for conducting oversight.
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