This bill makes sure IGs get the answers they need, on time, with real consequences for anyone who blocks their investigation Image: Bendix M / Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffAmong bills recently introduced in Congress is HR-5799, to require federal agencies, employees, grantees, and contractors to respond to inspector general requests within 60 days.
Failure to comply within that time without valid reasoning could bring penalties including suspension, termination, or loss of contract. The bill further requires reports to the relevant agency head and Congress of any noncompliance with IG requests.
“This bill makes sure IGs get the answers they need, on time, with real consequences for anyone who blocks their investigation,” sponsors said in a statement.
The measure in part is a response to the Trump administration’s firing of nearly two dozen IGs and it defunding of the central council that coordinates activities of the IG offices across the government. A federal judge found that the widescale firings early in the Trump administration violated a law requiring advance notice to Congress of such an intent, although the judge did not order that the fired IGs be returned to office.
Also recently introduced was HR-5749, to require OPM to produce annual reports on the use across agencies of official time—on the clock time in which employees can perform certain union-related roles.
OPM recent posted without notice, and then quickly took down, the first such report since 2019, showing an increase from then to 2024 from 2.6 million to 3.2 million hours.
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