3.0.0 6450 2023-04-24T20:39:47Z 2023-04-24T20:39:47Z House HR 2016-12-07 114 [Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]By Mr. CHAFFETZ:H.R. 6450.Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuantto the following:Article I, Section 8, Clause 18To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper forcarrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all otherPowers vested by this Constitution in the Government of theUnited States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.[Page H7398]]]> hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee House Standing Discharged from 2016-12-08T19:24:10Z Referred to 2016-12-07T15:01:35Z Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016 114 2395 HR 2016-06-22 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Related bill House Related bill CRS Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2015 114 579 S 2015-05-05 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 68. Related bill House Related bill CRS Bolster Accountability to Drive Government Efficiency and Reform Washington Act of 2016 114 3011 S 2016-06-06 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 505. Related bill CRS 2016-12-16 Became Public Law No: 114-317. President E40000 2 House floor actions 2016-12-16 Became Public Law No: 114-317. BecameLaw 36000 9 Library of Congress 2016-12-16 Signed by President. President E30000 2 House floor actions 2016-12-16 Signed by President. BecameLaw 36000 9 Library of Congress 2016-12-14 Presented to President. Floor E20000 2 House floor actions 2016-12-14 Presented to President. President 28000 9 Library of Congress 2016-12-12 Senate Message on Senate action sent to the House. Floor 2016-12-10 Senate Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S7128-7131) Floor 2016-12-10 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S7128-7131) Floor 17000 9 Library of Congress 2016-12-08 Senate Received in the Senate, read twice. IntroReferral 2016-12-08 14:24:59 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. Floor H38310 2 House floor actions 2016-12-08 14:24:58 On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H7527-7531) Floor H37100 2 House floor actions 2016-12-08 14:24:58 Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H7527-7531) Floor 8000 9 Library of Congress 2016-12-08 14:24:38 Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H7527-7531) Floor H30000 2 House floor actions 2016-12-08 Committee on Oversight and Government discharged. Discharge H12300 2 House floor actions hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee 2016-12-08 Committee on Oversight and Government discharged. Committee 5500 9 Library of Congress hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee 2016-12-08 14:24:09 Mr. Chaffetz asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider. Floor H30200 2 House floor actions 2016-12-07 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. IntroReferral H11100 2 House floor actions hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee 2016-12-07 Introduced in House IntroReferral Intro-H 9 Library of Congress 2016-12-07 Introduced in House IntroReferral 1000 9 Library of Congress C001076 Rep. Chaffetz, Jason [R-UT-3] Jason Chaffetz R UT 3 N C000984 Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7] ELIJAH CUMMINGS D MD E. 7 2016-12-07 True M001187 Rep. Meadows, Mark [R-NC-11] Mark Meadows R NC 11 2016-12-07 True Public Law 114-317 Government Operations and Politics Accounting and auditing Census and government statistics Congressional oversight Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Criminal justice information and records Evidence and witnesses Executive agency funding and structure Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Government ethics and transparency, public corruption Government information and archives Government studies and investigations Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information Intergovernmental relations Government Operations and Politics 00 2016-12-07 Introduced in House 2017-01-12T20:27:17Z Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016

This bill amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to exempt inspectors general (when they are conducting an authorized audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or review) from: (1) information privacy protections that require agreements between agencies for computerized comparisons of automated federal records systems under the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, and (2) procedural requirements for information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) must mediate disputes that involve the jurisdiction of more than one office of inspector general, except for matters coordinated by intelligence community inspectors general.

The membership structure of CIGIE's Integrity Committee is modified to eliminate: (1) the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as chairperson of the committee, and (2) the Special Counsel of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) as a committee member. The committee must elect one of the inspectors general on the committee as chairperson to serve for a term of two years.

The bill revises procedures and establishes time lines for the committee to refer allegations of wrongdoing against an inspector general, or against a staff member of an inspector general's office, to: (1) the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the OSC for investigation, or (2) the committee for review. Concurrent investigations may be conducted by the committee, DOJ, and the OSC. The committee may also receive, review, and refer allegations of wrongdoing against the Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel (officials appointed to investigate prohibited personnel practices and government waste and abuse).

An inspector general may access federal grand jury materials that are protected from disclosure under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure by submitting a request to the head of his or her establishment, who must then transmit the request to DOJ. DOJ must grant such a request unless access to the grand jury materials would: (1) interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation, prosecution, or undercover operation; (2) identify a confidential source or protected witness; (3) pose a serious threat to national security; or (4) significantly impair the trade or economic interests of the United States. If DOJ denies such a request, it must submit a statement to Congress explaining the reason for the denial.

The Attorney General or the Secretaries of Defense, the Treasury, Homeland Security, or Energy may prohibit inspectors general from accessing certain sensitive or national security information.

]]> 81 2016-12-08 Passed House without amendment 2016-12-27T21:34:31Z (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to exempt inspectors general (when they are conducting an authorized audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or review) from: (1) information privacy protections that require agreements between agencies for computerized comparisons of automated federal records systems under the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, and (2) procedural requirements for information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

(Sec. 3) The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) must submit to Congress an annual report that it currently submits only to the President.

CIGIE must mediate disputes regarding an audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or project that involves the jurisdiction of more than one office of inspector general, except for matters coordinated by intelligence community inspectors general.

The membership structure of CIGIE's Integrity Committee is modified to eliminate: (1) the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as chairperson of the committee, and (2) the Special Counsel of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) as a committee member. The committee must elect one of the inspectors general on the committee as chairperson to serve for a term of two years.

Within seven days after the committee receives an allegation of wrongdoing against an inspector general or a staff member of an inspector general's office, the committee must refer such allegation to: (1) the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the OSC for investigation, or (2) the committee for review. If an allegation of wrongdoing is referred to the committee, the committee must decide within 30 days whether to refer the allegation to the chairperson to initiate an investigation. The 30-day period may be extended if the committee notifies Congress.

The bill revises procedures for investigations of allegations of wrongdoing to: (1) require the committee chairperson to complete the investigation of referred allegations within 150 days after the committee's referral; (2) allow concurrent investigations by the committee, DOJ, and the OSC; and (3) require the committee's investigation reports and recommendations to be made available to Congress.

The committee may also receive, review, and refer allegations of wrongdoing against the Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel (officials appointed to investigate prohibited personnel practices and government waste and abuse).

(Sec. 4) The Government Accountability Office must report on prolonged vacancies in inspectors general offices. CIGIE must report on its analysis of critical issues that involve the jurisdiction of more than one office of inspector general to identify best practices and issues for increased coordination among inspectors general offices.

The semiannual reports that inspectors general submit to their agencies and Congress must include:

  • a summary of audit, inspection, and evaluation reports for which an inspector general's agency did not return a comment and for which there are outstanding unimplemented recommendations, including the aggregate potential cost savings of those recommendations;
  • statistical tables and metrics showing the total number of issued investigative reports, referrals to prosecuting authorities for criminal prosecution, and indictments from prior referrals;
  • a report on each investigation involving a senior government employee where allegations of misconduct were substantiated;
  • descriptions of any whistle-blower retaliation, investigations that were closed and were not disclosed to the public, or attempts by an agency to interfere with inspector general independence, including through budget constraints, resistance to oversight, or delayed information access.

Inspectors general are prohibited from providing Congress or the public with any information through such semiannual reports that would reveal the personally identifiable information of a whistle-blower without the whistle-blower's consent.

Inspectors general must submit their recommendations for corrective action to: (1) the head of their agency, (2) the congressional committees of jurisdiction, and (3) any individual or entity requesting the corrective action if the recommendation was initiated by request. The document making the recommendation must also be posted on the inspector general's website.

(Sec. 5) The bill sets forth standards regarding inspectors general access to agency records, the timeliness of their access, and procedures for their requests for access to federal grand jury materials.

An inspector general may access federal grand jury materials that are protected from disclosure under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure by submitting a request to the head of his or her establishment, who must then transmit the request to DOJ. DOJ must grant such a request unless access to the grand jury materials would: (1) interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation, prosecution, or undercover operation; (2) identify a confidential source or protected witness; (3) pose a serious threat to national security; or (4) significantly impair the trade or economic interests of the United States. If DOJ denies such a request, it must submit a statement to Congress explaining the reason for the denial.

The DOJ Inspector General is exempt from these request procedures and shall automatically have access to information available to DOJ regarding grand jury materials.

(Sec. 6) The Attorney General or the Secretaries of Defense, the Treasury, Homeland Security, or Energy may prohibit inspectors general from accessing certain sensitive or national security information.

]]> 82 2016-12-10 Passed Senate without amendment 2016-12-27T21:37:05Z (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to exempt inspectors general (when they are conducting an authorized audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or review) from: (1) information privacy protections that require agreements between agencies for computerized comparisons of automated federal records systems under the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, and (2) procedural requirements for information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

(Sec. 3) The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) must submit to Congress an annual report that it currently submits only to the President.

CIGIE must mediate disputes regarding an audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or project that involves the jurisdiction of more than one office of inspector general, except for matters coordinated by intelligence community inspectors general.

The membership structure of CIGIE's Integrity Committee is modified to eliminate: (1) the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as chairperson of the committee, and (2) the Special Counsel of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) as a committee member. The committee must elect one of the inspectors general on the committee as chairperson to serve for a term of two years.

Within seven days after the committee receives an allegation of wrongdoing against an inspector general or a staff member of an inspector general's office, the committee must refer such allegation to: (1) the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the OSC for investigation, or (2) the committee for review. If an allegation of wrongdoing is referred to the committee, the committee must decide within 30 days whether to refer the allegation to the chairperson to initiate an investigation. The 30-day period may be extended if the committee notifies Congress.

The bill revises procedures for investigations of allegations of wrongdoing to: (1) require the committee chairperson to complete the investigation of referred allegations within 150 days after the committee's referral; (2) allow concurrent investigations by the committee, DOJ, and the OSC; and (3) require the committee's investigation reports and recommendations to be made available to Congress.

The committee may also receive, review, and refer allegations of wrongdoing against the Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel (officials appointed to investigate prohibited personnel practices and government waste and abuse).

(Sec. 4) The Government Accountability Office must report on prolonged vacancies in inspectors general offices. CIGIE must report on its analysis of critical issues that involve the jurisdiction of more than one office of inspector general to identify best practices and issues for increased coordination among inspectors general offices.

The semiannual reports that inspectors general submit to their agencies and Congress must include:

  • a summary of audit, inspection, and evaluation reports for which an inspector general's agency did not return a comment and for which there are outstanding unimplemented recommendations, including the aggregate potential cost savings of those recommendations;
  • statistical tables and metrics showing the total number of issued investigative reports, referrals to prosecuting authorities for criminal prosecution, and indictments from prior referrals;
  • a report on each investigation involving a senior government employee where allegations of misconduct were substantiated;
  • descriptions of any whistle-blower retaliation, investigations that were closed and were not disclosed to the public, or attempts by an agency to interfere with inspector general independence, including through budget constraints, resistance to oversight, or delayed information access.

Inspectors general are prohibited from providing Congress or the public with any information through such semiannual reports that would reveal the personally identifiable information of a whistle-blower without the whistle-blower's consent.

Inspectors general must submit their recommendations for corrective action to: (1) the head of their agency, (2) the congressional committees of jurisdiction, and (3) any individual or entity requesting the corrective action if the recommendation was initiated by request. The document making the recommendation must also be posted on the inspector general's website.

(Sec. 5) The bill sets forth standards regarding inspectors general access to agency records, the timeliness of their access, and procedures for their requests for access to federal grand jury materials.

An inspector general may access federal grand jury materials that are protected from disclosure under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure by submitting a request to the head of his or her establishment, who must then transmit the request to DOJ. DOJ must grant such a request unless access to the grand jury materials would: (1) interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation, prosecution, or undercover operation; (2) identify a confidential source or protected witness; (3) pose a serious threat to national security; or (4) significantly impair the trade or economic interests of the United States. If DOJ denies such a request, it must submit a statement to Congress explaining the reason for the denial.

The DOJ Inspector General is exempt from these request procedures and shall automatically have access to information available to DOJ regarding grand jury materials.

(Sec. 6) The Attorney General or the Secretaries of Defense, the Treasury, Homeland Security, or Energy may prohibit inspectors general from accessing certain sensitive or national security information.

]]> 49 2016-12-16 Public Law 2017-01-03T22:40:38Z (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to exempt inspectors general (when they are conducting an authorized audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or review) from: (1) information privacy protections that require agreements between agencies for computerized comparisons of automated federal records systems under the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, and (2) procedural requirements for information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

(Sec. 3) The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) must submit to Congress an annual report that it currently submits only to the President.

CIGIE must mediate disputes regarding an audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or project that involves the jurisdiction of more than one office of inspector general, except for matters coordinated by intelligence community inspectors general.

The membership structure of CIGIE's Integrity Committee is modified to eliminate: (1) the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as chairperson of the committee, and (2) the Special Counsel of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) as a committee member. The committee must elect one of the inspectors general on the committee as chairperson to serve for a term of two years.

Within seven days after the committee receives an allegation of wrongdoing against an inspector general or a staff member of an inspector general's office, the committee must refer such allegation to: (1) the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the OSC for investigation, or (2) the committee for review. If an allegation of wrongdoing is referred to the committee, the committee must decide within 30 days whether to refer the allegation to the chairperson to initiate an investigation. The 30-day period may be extended if the committee notifies Congress.

The bill revises procedures for investigations of allegations of wrongdoing to: (1) require the committee chairperson to complete the investigation of referred allegations within 150 days after the committee's referral; (2) allow concurrent investigations by the committee, DOJ, and the OSC; and (3) require the committee's investigation reports and recommendations to be made available to Congress.

The committee may also receive, review, and refer allegations of wrongdoing against the Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel (officials appointed to investigate prohibited personnel practices and government waste and abuse).

(Sec. 4) The Government Accountability Office must report on prolonged vacancies in inspectors general offices. CIGIE must report on its analysis of critical issues that involve the jurisdiction of more than one office of inspector general to identify best practices and issues for increased coordination among inspectors general offices.

The semiannual reports that inspectors general submit to their agencies and Congress must include:

  • a summary of audit, inspection, and evaluation reports for which an inspector general's agency did not return a comment and for which there are outstanding unimplemented recommendations, including the aggregate potential cost savings of those recommendations;
  • statistical tables and metrics showing the total number of issued investigative reports, referrals to prosecuting authorities for criminal prosecution, and indictments from prior referrals;
  • a report on each investigation involving a senior government employee where allegations of misconduct were substantiated;
  • descriptions of any whistle-blower retaliation, investigations that were closed and were not disclosed to the public, or attempts by an agency to interfere with inspector general independence, including through budget constraints, resistance to oversight, or delayed information access.

Inspectors general are prohibited from providing Congress or the public with any information through such semiannual reports that would reveal the personally identifiable information of a whistle-blower without the whistle-blower's consent.

Inspectors general must submit their recommendations for corrective action to: (1) the head of their agency, (2) the congressional committees of jurisdiction, and (3) any individual or entity requesting the corrective action if the recommendation was initiated by request. The document making the recommendation must also be posted on the inspector general's website.

(Sec. 5) The bill sets forth standards regarding inspectors general access to agency records, the timeliness of their access, and procedures for their requests for access to federal grand jury materials.

An inspector general may access federal grand jury materials that are protected from disclosure under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure by submitting a request to the head of his or her establishment, who must then transmit the request to DOJ. DOJ must grant such a request unless access to the grand jury materials would: (1) interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation, prosecution, or undercover operation; (2) identify a confidential source or protected witness; (3) pose a serious threat to national security; or (4) significantly impair the trade or economic interests of the United States. If DOJ denies such a request, it must submit a statement to Congress explaining the reason for the denial.

The DOJ Inspector General is exempt from these request procedures and shall automatically have access to information available to DOJ regarding grand jury materials.

(Sec. 6) The Attorney General or the Secretaries of Defense, the Treasury, Homeland Security, or Energy may prohibit inspectors general from accessing certain sensitive or national security information.

]]> Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016 Display Title Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016 Official Title as Introduced To amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to strengthen the independence of the Inspectors General, and for other purposes. Introduced in House IH Short Titles as Enacted Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016 Short Titles as Introduced Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016 Short Titles as Passed House Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016 H House Short Titles as Passed Senate Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016 S Senate 1489 114 HAMDT To make technical changes to the bill. Amendment makes technical changes to the bill. 2020-12-15T18:08:06Z 2016-12-08 On agreeing to the Chaffetz amendment (A001) Agreed to without objection. 14:24:48 C001076 Rep. Chaffetz, Jason [R-UT-3] Jason Chaffetz R UT 3 2016-12-08T05:00:00Z House of Representatives 114 HR House H 6450 Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016 2023-04-24T20:39:47Z 7 2016-12-08 14:24:48 On agreeing to the Chaffetz amendment (A001) Agreed to without objection. Floor H34111 2 House floor actions 2016-12-08 14:24:45 Amendment (A001) offered by Mr. Chaffetz. (consideration: CR H7531; text: CR H7531) Floor H3A100 2 House floor actions 2016-12-08 14:24:48 Amendment agreed to by House: On agreeing to the Chaffetz amendment (A001) Agreed to without objection. NotUsed 79000 9 Library of Congress 2016-12-08 House amendment offered Floor 71000 9 Library of Congress 2016-12-08 14:24:45 House amendment offered/reported by : Amendment (A001) offered by Mr. Chaffetz.(consideration: CR H7531; text: CR H7531) NotUsed 71500 9 Library of Congress 2016-12-08 14:24:48 House amendment agreed to: On agreeing to the Chaffetz amendment (A001) Agreed to without objection. Floor 72000 9 Library of Congress Enrolled Bill https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114hr6450enr/xml/BILLS-114hr6450enr.xml Received in Senate 2016-12-08T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114hr6450rds/xml/BILLS-114hr6450rds.xml Engrossed in House 2016-12-08T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114hr6450eh/xml/BILLS-114hr6450eh.xml Introduced in House 2016-12-07T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114hr6450ih/xml/BILLS-114hr6450ih.xml 2016-12-17T04:59:59Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-114publ317/uslm/PLAW-114publ317.xml Public Law 2016-12-16 Became Public Law No: 114-317. text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress This file contains bill summaries and statuses for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.