[House Document 118-134]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




118th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 118-134

 
                DESIGNATION OF JILL BAISINGER AS ACTING 
                  INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT 
                              OF COMMERCE

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                     THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

A NOTICE THAT THE PRESIDENT IS EXERCISING HIS AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE AN 
 ACTING INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, PURSUANT TO 5 
U.S.C. 403 NOTE; ADDED BY PUBLIC LAW 117-263, SEC. 5203(a); (136 STAT. 
                                 3229)




May 2, 2024.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the Committee 
       on Oversight and Accountability and ordered to be printed
To the Congress of the United States:
    This is to advise that I am exercising my authority to 
designate an Acting Inspector General of the Department of 
Commerce. I have directed that Jill Baisinger, who is currently 
serving as the Chief of Staff in the Office of Inspector 
General at the Department of the Interior, shall serve 
concurrently as Acting Inspector General of the Department of 
Commerce, effective 30 days from today.
    In January, the Inspector General of the Department of 
Commerce resigned and the Deputy Inspector General began 
performing the functions and duties of the Inspector General in 
an acting capacity.
    I have determined that during this period of transition, 
the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of 
Commerce would benefit from leadership brought in from outside 
of the office. In a letter to the President dated March 18, 
2024, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology (Committee) stated that they had 
reached the same conclusion after a 10-month investigation. The 
attached letter from Counsel to the President Ed Siskel, which 
I have incorporated here by reference, provides additional 
details regarding the Committee's investigation.
    Jill Baisinger is well positioned to provide independent 
and strong leadership to the OIG at the Department of Commerce. 
She has an exemplary track record in the Office of Inspector 
General at the Department of the Interior and previously at the 
Office of Inspector General at the Department of State. Her 
leadership experience, deep understanding of the mission of 
Inspectors General, and expertise in oversight and 
investigations will help the OIG perform its vital role for the 
Department of Commerce.

                                               Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
    The White House, May 1, 2024.