Sens: Congress has already appropriated FY 2026 funds for CIGIE and PRAC, and both entities enjoy strong bipartisan support. Image: DCStockPhotography / Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffTwo leading Senate Republicans on civil service and whistleblower protection issues have called on OMB to reverse its recent decision to defund operations of the central council of agency IGs, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and a related body, the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee.
“Congress has already appropriated FY 2026 funds for CIGIE and PRAC, and both entities enjoy strong bipartisan support. Thus, any adverse consequences will be solely due to OMB’s decision not to apportion available funds, rather than any lapse in appropriations,” Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Susan Collins of Maine wrote to OMB director Russ Vought .
“We understand from your staff that OMB’s apportionment decision may be part of a review of CIGIE and PRAC activities. However, we see no reason why such a review could not occur while those entities remain operational so that they can continue the numerous functions that are mandated by law,” they added.
The CIGIE council speaks for that community on issues such as barriers IGs face in receiving information from agency management and operates a central site for reports at oversight.gov.
The PRAC was established to oversee spending of covid pandemic relief funds and as part of that effort developed data analytics capabilities that it has touted as holding promise for finding improper payments and fraud in other government programs, as well. The major tax and spending bill enacted during the summer “extended PRAC’s authorization, expanded its jurisdiction, and appropriated $88 million in additional funding to support its efforts,” the letter added.
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