Congress Opens a New Front in Oversight

[babylonsister]

Congress Opens a New Front in Oversight
By Kathleen Hunter | 6:52 AM; Oct. 03, 2007 |


House Democrats are intensifying their efforts to strengthen oversight of the executive branch with a bill that would make it harder for the administration to control its own internal watchdogs.

The bill, which would restrict the circumstances under which an inspector general could be fired, is set for a floor vote Wednesday.

Sponsored by Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., the bill (HR 928) also would give the inspectors general greater budgetary independence and establish a panel to review allegations of misconduct.

The White House has threatened to veto the legislation, saying it would improperly diminish presidential control over budgets and interfere with the president’s constitutional authority to remove inspectors general when warranted.

Inspectors general “already have the independence necessary to perform their investigative functions,” the administration said in its official position statement.

A 1978 law (PL 95-452) established independent inspectors general at each Cabinet-level department and inside roughly 50 federal agencies. Their mission is to prevent fraud and abuse and hold agencies accountable for the way they do business.

Bill supporters have accused the Bush administration of trying to diminish the A-independence of inspectors A-general.

“People are very tired of the politicizing that’s coming out of this administration,” said Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla.

more...

http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/10/congress_opens_a_new_front_in.html

[deacon]

1. When we see any oversight and/or accountability - please let me know. n/t