DelBene, Oversight Dems Call for Review of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse to Assess Impact of Government Watchdogs Firings

Today, Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01) led a group of eight House Democrats in raising concerns about the vacancy of more than 20 Inspectors General (IG), 18 of which were terminated by the Trump Administration-firings which many legal experts say may violate federal law.

Inspectors General are tasked with conducting audits and investigations at federal agencies, to ensure the federal government acts transparently, is held accountable, and uses taxpayer dollars efficiently. Trump's firing of these government watchdogs risks eliminating objective, nonpartisan oversight of federal agencies, and greatly increases their potential to operate irresponsibly and wastefully.

"Maintaining a fully staffed group of IGs is key to ensuring the federal government implements congressional priorities effectively and efficiently," the lawmakers wrote to the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) Comptroller General Gene Dodaro. "We are concerned that those vacancies could be negatively impacting the work being performed within the IG community."

Specifically, the letter asks that the GAO review:

• Whether there have been impacts on staffing in IG offices where the IG has been recently removed,
• Whether there have been changes in the timeliness of information reported in IG semiannual reports,
• Whether the removal of IGs has resulted in the cancellation or delay of investigations or audits, and
• Whether the removal of IGs has impacted overall morale at IG offices.

DelBene requested that the GAO provide the results of its review through formal reports, testimonies, and/or staff and member briefings.

Additional signers of the letter include House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia (CA-42), House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-6), House Ways & Means Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Terri Sewell (AL-07), House Veterans' Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), and House Oversight Committee Members Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Stephen Lynch (MA-08).

The full letter can be found here.