POGO Recommendations on IG Reform

The Project on Government Oversight has released a lengthy report with suggestions for reforming Inspector General operations. The recommendations include the following:

Combine the PCIE and ECIE into one Council of all IGs.

Remove the Deputy Director of OMB as the Chair of the combined Council of IGs.

Create a resource pool of professional employees for smaller IG offices.

Extend the language for PCIE IG qualifications to DFE IGs.

Revive the IG candidate selection committee.

Set fixed terms of office for PCIE IGs.

Make clear that an Inspector General may only be removed prior to the end of his or her term for cause.

Establish separate budget authority and transparent public budgets for all IGs.

Clarify the law so that once an IG’s budget has been approved, expenditures can be made without further approval.

Forbid IGs to receive cash awards or bonuses, but raise their pay.

Require IG offices either to have their own counsel or to use another IG’s counsel.

Make clear that IGs should rely on their own in-house counsel for advice about how FOIA applies to IG reports.

Ensure direct and clear links to the IG’s web page, and provide IGs autonomy over the content on the web page.

Expand IGs’ subpoena power.

Amend the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act to apply to DFE IGs.

Refrain for now from consolidating any of the smaller IG offices.