Echoing an earlier call from committee ranking member
Joe Lieberman, D-Conn. who also called for more first
responder funding, Collins voiced concerns that the
DHS office of the inspector general was not being
funded enough to keep up with the pace of change at
the department and carry out the IG’s new
responsibilities regarding handling allegations of
civil rights and civil liberties abuses, and
requiring the appointment of a senior official in the
OIG to coordinate these activities.
Implementing and transforming DHS remains on GAO’s
high-risk list of government programs and efforts
vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement.
The overall budget of the department continues to
outpace funding for the IG office – the budget proposes
less than a one percent increase – and OIG staff have
said they lack adequate investigative staff to respond
to allegations and are unable to provide audit coverage
at an appropriate level.
“I request that the budget of the DHS OIG be increased
to make it commensurate with the newly expanded scope
of the office’s responsibilities and the importance of
its work in ensuring that the still new DHS properly
and effectively meets its many management challenges,”
said Collins.
