Congressmen to OMB: Federal agencies must provide records to inspectors general

Washington – A complaint from 47 inspectors general has prompted a group of congressmen to urge the Office of Management and Budget to ensure all federal agencies and staffs cooperate with their respective OIG.

In an Aug. 5 letter sent to Senate and House government oversight committee leaders, the inspectors general voiced concerns regarding “serious limitations” they have experienced in obtaining records from agencies. These limitations hinder their work, the letter states, which pertains to detecting and preventing federal agency fraud, waste and abuse.

One recent case included the Chemical Safety Board’s failure to comply with requests for information on a whistleblower investigation.

In response to the concerns, the chairmen and ranking members of the oversight committees on Aug. 8 wrote to OMB Director Shaun Donovan asking him to take steps to ensure the agencies and their staffs are properly informed and trained on requirements in the Inspectors General Act.

“Timely and complete access to information is essential if inspectors general are to perform their missions,” the congressmen’s letter states. “We call on you to underscore this important fact and enlist your office to help ensure that agencies comply.”