[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H9877-H9882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  INSPECTOR GENERAL REFORM ACT OF 2008

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in 
the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 928) to amend the Inspector 
General Act of 1978 to enhance the independence of the Inspectors 
General, to create a Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
Efficiency, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:

       Senate amendment:
       Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Inspector General Reform Act 
     of 2008''.

     SEC. 2. APPOINTMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS OF INSPECTORS GENERAL.

       Section 8G(c) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding at the end ``Each Inspector 
     General shall be appointed without regard to political 
     affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and 
     demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial 
     analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or 
     investigations.''.

     SEC. 3. REMOVAL OF INSPECTORS GENERAL.

       (a) Establishments.--Section 3(b) of the Inspector General 
     Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by striking the second 
     sentence and inserting ``If an Inspector General is removed 
     from office or is transferred to another position or location 
     within an establishment, the President shall communicate in 
     writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both 
     Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal 
     or transfer. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a 
     personnel action otherwise authorized by law, other than 
     transfer or removal.''.
       (b) Designated Federal Entities.--Section 8G(e) of the 
     Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by 
     striking ``shall promptly communicate in writing the reasons 
     for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of the 
     Congress.'' and inserting ``shall communicate in writing the 
     reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of 
     Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or 
     transfer. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a 
     personnel action otherwise authorized by law, other than 
     transfer or removal.''.

     SEC. 4. PAY OF INSPECTORS GENERAL.

       (a) Inspectors General at Level III of Executive 
     Schedule.--
       (1) In general.--Section 3 of the Inspector General Act of 
     1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(e) The annual rate of basic pay for an Inspector General 
     (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable 
     for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of 
     title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent.''.
       (2) Technical and conforming amendments.--Section 5315 of 
     title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking the item 
     relating to each of the following positions:
       (A) Inspector General, Department of Education.
       (B) Inspector General, Department of Energy.
       (C) Inspector General, Department of Health and Human 
     Services.
       (D) Inspector General, Department of Agriculture.
       (E) Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development.
       (F) Inspector General, Department of Labor.
       (G) Inspector General, Department of Transportation.
       (H) Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (I) Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security.
       (J) Inspector General, Department of Defense.
       (K) Inspector General, Department of State.
       (L) Inspector General, Department of Commerce.
       (M) Inspector General, Department of the Interior.
       (N) Inspector General, Department of Justice.
       (O) Inspector General, Department of the Treasury.
       (P) Inspector General, Agency for International 
     Development.
       (Q) Inspector General, Environmental Protection Agency.
       (R) Inspector General, Export-Import Bank.
       (S) Inspector General, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
       (T) Inspector General, General Services Administration.
       (U) Inspector General, National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration.
       (V) Inspector General, Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
       (W) Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management.
       (X) Inspector General, Railroad Retirement Board.
       (Y) Inspector General, Small Business Administration.
       (Z) Inspector General, Tennessee Valley Authority.
       (AA) Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance 
     Corporation.
       (BB) Inspector General, Resolution Trust Corporation.
       (CC) Inspector General, Central Intelligence Agency.
       (DD) Inspector General, Social Security Administration.
       (EE) Inspector General, United States Postal Service.
       (3) Applicability to other inspectors general.--
       (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the annual rate of basic pay of the Inspector General of 
     the Central Intelligence Agency, the Special Inspector 
     General for Iraq Reconstruction, and the Special Inspector 
     General for Afghanistan Reconstruction shall be that of an 
     Inspector General as defined under section 12(3) of the 
     Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) (as amended by 
     section 7(a) of this Act).
       (B) Prohibition of cash bonus or awards.--Section 3(f) of 
     the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) (as amended 
     by section 5 of this Act) shall apply to the Inspectors 
     General described under subparagraph (A).
       (4) Additional technical and conforming amendment.--Section 
     194(b) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 
     U.S.C. 12651e(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (3).
       (b) Inspectors General of Designated Federal Entities.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Inspector General of each designated Federal entity 
     (as those terms are defined under section 8G of the Inspector 
     General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)) shall, for pay and all 
     other purposes, be classified at a grade, level, or rank 
     designation, as the case may be, at or above those of a 
     majority of the senior level executives of that designated 
     Federal entity (such as a General Counsel, Chief Information 
     Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Capital 
     Officer, or Chief Acquisition Officer). The pay of an 
     Inspector General of a designated Federal entity (as those 
     terms are defined under section 8G of the Inspector General 
     Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)) shall be not less than the 
     average total compensation (including bonuses) of the senior 
     level executives of that designated Federal entity calculated 
     on an annual basis.
       (2) Limitation on adjustment.--
       (A) In general.--In the case of an Inspector General of a 
     designated Federal entity whose pay is adjusted under 
     paragraph (1), the total increase in pay in any fiscal year 
     resulting from that adjustment may not exceed 25 percent of 
     the average total compensation (including bonuses) of the 
     Inspector General of that entity for the preceding 3 fiscal 
     years.
       (B) Sunset of limitation.--The limitation under 
     subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any adjustment made in 
     fiscal year 2013 or each fiscal year thereafter.
       (c) Savings Provision for Newly Appointed Inspectors 
     General.--
       (1) In general.--The provisions of section 3392 of title 5, 
     United States Code, other than the terms ``performance 
     awards'' and ``awarding of ranks'' in subsection (c)(1) of 
     such section, shall apply to career appointees of the Senior 
     Executive Service who are appointed to the position of 
     Inspector General.
       (2) Nonreduction in pay.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, career Federal employees serving on an 
     appointment made pursuant to statutory authority found other 
     than in section 3392 of title 5, United States Code, shall 
     not suffer a reduction in pay, not including any bonus or 
     performance award, as a result of being appointed to the 
     position of Inspector General.
       (d) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section shall have 
     the effect of reducing the rate of pay of any individual 
     serving on the date of enactment of this section as an 
     Inspector General of--
       (1) an establishment as defined under section 12(2) of the 
     Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) (as amended by 
     section 7(a) of this Act);
       (2) a designated Federal entity as defined under section 
     8G(2) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.);
       (3) a legislative agency for which the position of 
     Inspector General is established by statute; or
       (4) any other entity of the Government for which the 
     position of Inspector General is established by statute.

     SEC. 5. PROHIBITION OF CASH BONUS OR AWARDS.

       Section 3 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
     App.) (as amended by section 4 of this Act) is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) An Inspector General (as defined under section 
     8G(a)(6) or 12(3)) may not receive any cash award or cash 
     bonus, including any cash award under chapter 45 of title 5, 
     United States Code.''.

[[Page H9878]]

     SEC. 6. SEPARATE COUNSEL TO SUPPORT INSPECTORS GENERAL.

       (a) Counsels to Inspectors General of Establishment.--
     Section 3 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
     App.) (as amended by sections 4 and 5 of this Act) is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) Each Inspector General shall, in accordance with 
     applicable laws and regulations governing the civil service, 
     obtain legal advice from a counsel either reporting directly 
     to the Inspector General or another Inspector General.''.
       (b) Counsels to Inspectors General of Designated Federal 
     Entities.--Section 8G(g) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 
     (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(4) Each Inspector General shall--
       ``(A) in accordance with applicable laws and regulations 
     governing appointments within the designated Federal entity, 
     appoint a Counsel to the Inspector General who shall report 
     to the Inspector General;
       ``(B) obtain the services of a counsel appointed by and 
     directly reporting to another Inspector General on a 
     reimbursable basis; or
       ``(C) obtain the services of appropriate staff of the 
     Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency 
     on a reimbursable basis.''.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in the amendments made 
     by this section shall be construed to alter the duties and 
     responsibilities of the counsel for any establishment or 
     designated Federal entity, except for the availability of 
     counsel as provided under sections 3(g) and 8G(g) of the 
     Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) (as amended by 
     this section). The Counsel to the Inspector General shall 
     perform such functions as the Inspector General may 
     prescribe.

     SEC. 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL OF THE INSPECTORS GENERAL ON 
                   INTEGRITY AND EFFICIENCY.

       (a) Establishment.--The Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.) is amended by redesignating sections 11 and 12 
     as sections 12 and 13, respectively, and by inserting after 
     section 10 the following:

     ``SEC. 11. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE INSPECTORS 
                   GENERAL ON INTEGRITY AND EFFICIENCY.

       ``(a) Establishment and Mission.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established as an 
     independent entity within the executive branch the Council of 
     the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (in this 
     section referred to as the `Council').
       ``(2) Mission.--The mission of the Council shall be to--
       ``(A) address integrity, economy, and effectiveness issues 
     that transcend individual Government agencies; and
       ``(B) increase the professionalism and effectiveness of 
     personnel by developing policies, standards, and approaches 
     to aid in the establishment of a well-trained and highly 
     skilled workforce in the offices of the Inspectors General.
       ``(b) Membership.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Council shall consist of the 
     following members:
       ``(A) All Inspectors General whose offices are established 
     under--
       ``(i) section 2; or
       ``(ii) section 8G.
       ``(B) The Inspectors General of the Office of the Director 
     of National Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency.
       ``(C) The Controller of the Office of Federal Financial 
     Management.
       ``(D) A senior level official of the Federal Bureau of 
     Investigation designated by the Director of the Federal 
     Bureau of Investigation.
       ``(E) The Director of the Office of Government Ethics.
       ``(F) The Special Counsel of the Office of Special Counsel.
       ``(G) The Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel 
     Management.
       ``(H) The Deputy Director for Management of the Office of 
     Management and Budget.
       ``(I) The Inspectors General of the Library of Congress, 
     Capitol Police, Government Printing Office, Government 
     Accountability Office, and the Architect of the Capitol.
       ``(2) Chairperson and executive chairperson.--
       ``(A) Executive chairperson.--The Deputy Director for 
     Management of the Office of Management and Budget shall be 
     the Executive Chairperson of the Council.
       ``(B) Chairperson.--The Council shall elect 1 of the 
     Inspectors General referred to in paragraph (1)(A) or (B) to 
     act as Chairperson of the Council. The term of office of the 
     Chairperson shall be 2 years.
       ``(3) Functions of chairperson and executive chairperson.--
       ``(A) Executive chairperson.--The Executive Chairperson 
     shall--
       ``(i) preside over meetings of the Council;
       ``(ii) provide to the heads of agencies and entities 
     represented on the Council summary reports of the activities 
     of the Council; and
       ``(iii) provide to the Council such information relating to 
     the agencies and entities represented on the Council as 
     assists the Council in performing its functions.
       ``(B) Chairperson.--The Chairperson shall--
       ``(i) convene meetings of the Council--

       ``(I) at least 6 times each year;
       ``(II) monthly to the extent possible; and
       ``(III) more frequently at the discretion of the 
     Chairperson;

       ``(ii) carry out the functions and duties of the Council 
     under subsection (c);
       ``(iii) appoint a Vice Chairperson to assist in carrying 
     out the functions of the Council and act in the absence of 
     the Chairperson, from a category of Inspectors General 
     described in subparagraph (A)(i), (A)(ii), or (B) of 
     paragraph (1), other than the category from which the 
     Chairperson was elected;
       ``(iv) make such payments from funds otherwise available to 
     the Council as may be necessary to carry out the functions of 
     the Council;
       ``(v) select, appoint, and employ personnel as needed to 
     carry out the functions of the Council subject to the 
     provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
     appointments in the competitive service, and the provisions 
     of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, 
     relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates;
       ``(vi) to the extent and in such amounts as may be provided 
     in advance by appropriations Acts, made available from the 
     revolving fund established under subsection (c)(3)(B), or as 
     otherwise provided by law, enter into contracts and other 
     arrangements with public agencies and private persons to 
     carry out the functions and duties of the Council;
       ``(vii) establish, in consultation with the members of the 
     Council, such committees as determined by the Chairperson to 
     be necessary and appropriate for the efficient conduct of 
     Council functions; and
       ``(viii) prepare and transmit a report annually on behalf 
     of the Council to the President on the activities of the 
     Council.
       ``(c) Functions and Duties of Council.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Council shall--
       ``(A) continually identify, review, and discuss areas of 
     weakness and vulnerability in Federal programs and operations 
     with respect to fraud, waste, and abuse;
       ``(B) develop plans for coordinated, Governmentwide 
     activities that address these problems and promote economy 
     and efficiency in Federal programs and operations, including 
     interagency and interentity audit, investigation, inspection, 
     and evaluation programs and projects to deal efficiently and 
     effectively with those problems concerning fraud and waste 
     that exceed the capability or jurisdiction of an individual 
     agency or entity;
       ``(C) develop policies that will aid in the maintenance of 
     a corps of well-trained and highly skilled Office of 
     Inspector General personnel;
       ``(D) maintain an Internet website and other electronic 
     systems for the benefit of all Inspectors General, as the 
     Council determines are necessary or desirable;
       ``(E) maintain 1 or more academies as the Council considers 
     desirable for the professional training of auditors, 
     investigators, inspectors, evaluators, and other personnel of 
     the various offices of Inspector General;
       ``(F) submit recommendations of individuals to the 
     appropriate appointing authority for any appointment to an 
     office of Inspector General described under subsection 
     (b)(1)(A) or (B);
       ``(G) make such reports to Congress as the Chairperson 
     determines are necessary or appropriate; and
       ``(H) perform other duties within the authority and 
     jurisdiction of the Council, as appropriate.
       ``(2) Adherence and participation by members.--To the 
     extent permitted under law, and to the extent not 
     inconsistent with standards established by the Comptroller 
     General of the United States for audits of Federal 
     establishments, organizations, programs, activities, and 
     functions, each member of the Council, as appropriate, 
     shall--
       ``(A) adhere to professional standards developed by the 
     Council; and
       ``(B) participate in the plans, programs, and projects of 
     the Council, except that in the case of a member described 
     under subsection (b)(1)(I) , the member shall participate 
     only to the extent requested by the member and approved by 
     the Executive Chairperson and Chairperson.
       ``(3) Additional administrative authorities.--
       ``(A) Interagency funding.--Notwithstanding section 1532 of 
     title 31, United States Code, or any other provision of law 
     prohibiting the interagency funding of activities described 
     under subclause (I), (II), or (III) of clause (i), in the 
     performance of the responsibilities, authorities, and duties 
     of the Council--
       ``(i) the Executive Chairperson may authorize the use of 
     interagency funding for--

       ``(I) Governmentwide training of employees of the Offices 
     of the Inspectors General;
       ``(II) the functions of the Integrity Committee of the 
     Council; and
       ``(III) any other authorized purpose determined by the 
     Council; and

       ``(ii) upon the authorization of the Executive Chairperson, 
     any department, agency, or entity of the executive branch 
     which has a member on the Council shall fund or participate 
     in the funding of such activities.
       ``(B) Revolving fund.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Council may--

       ``(I) establish in the Treasury of the United States a 
     revolving fund to be called the Inspectors General Council 
     Fund; or
       ``(II) enter into an arrangement with a department or 
     agency to use an existing revolving fund.

       ``(ii) Amounts in revolving fund.--

       ``(I) In general.--Amounts transferred to the Council under 
     this subsection shall be deposited in the revolving fund 
     described under clause (i)(I) or (II).
       ``(II) Training.--Any remaining unexpended balances 
     appropriated for or otherwise available to the Inspectors 
     General Criminal Investigator Academy and the Inspectors 
     General Auditor Training Institute shall be transferred to 
     the revolving fund described under clause (i)(I) or (II).

       ``(iii) Use of revolving fund.--

       ``(I) In general.--Except as provided under subclause (II), 
     amounts in the revolving fund described under clause (i)(I) 
     or (II) may be used to carry out the functions and duties of 
     the Council under this subsection.
       ``(II) Training.--Amounts transferred into the revolving 
     fund described under clause (i)(I) or (II) may be used for 
     the purpose of maintaining any training academy as determined 
     by the Council.

[[Page H9879]]

       ``(iv) Availability of funds.--Amounts in the revolving 
     fund described under clause (i)(I) or (II) shall remain 
     available to the Council without fiscal year limitation.
       ``(C) Superseding provisions.--No provision of law enacted 
     after the date of enactment of this subsection shall be 
     construed to limit or supersede any authority under 
     subparagraph (A) or (B), unless such provision makes specific 
     reference to the authority in that paragraph.
       ``(4) Existing authorities and responsibilities.--The 
     establishment and operation of the Council shall not affect--
       ``(A) the role of the Department of Justice in law 
     enforcement and litigation;
       ``(B) the authority or responsibilities of any Government 
     agency or entity; and
       ``(C) the authority or responsibilities of individual 
     members of the Council.
       ``(d) Integrity Committee.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--The Council shall have an Integrity 
     Committee, which shall receive, review, and refer for 
     investigation allegations of wrongdoing that are made against 
     Inspectors General and staff members of the various Offices 
     of Inspector General described under paragraph (4)(C).
       ``(2) Membership.--The Integrity Committee shall consist of 
     the following members:
       ``(A) The official of the Federal Bureau of Investigation 
     serving on the Council, who shall serve as Chairperson of the 
     Integrity Committee, and maintain the records of the 
     Committee.
       ``(B) Four Inspectors General described in subparagraph (A) 
     or (B) of subsection (b)(1) appointed by the Chairperson of 
     the Council, representing both establishments and designated 
     Federal entities (as that term is defined in section 8G(a)).
       ``(C) The Special Counsel of the Office of Special Counsel.
       ``(D) The Director of the Office of Government Ethics.
       ``(3) Legal advisor.--The Chief of the Public Integrity 
     Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of 
     Justice, or his designee, shall serve as a legal advisor to 
     the Integrity Committee.
       ``(4) Referral of allegations.--
       ``(A) Requirement.--An Inspector General shall refer to the 
     Integrity Committee any allegation of wrongdoing against a 
     staff member of the office of that Inspector General, if--
       ``(i) review of the substance of the allegation cannot be 
     assigned to an agency of the executive branch with 
     appropriate jurisdiction over the matter; and
       ``(ii) the Inspector General determines that--

       ``(I) an objective internal investigation of the allegation 
     is not feasible; or
       ``(II) an internal investigation of the allegation may 
     appear not to be objective.

       ``(B) Definition.--In this paragraph the term `staff 
     member' means any employee of an Office of Inspector General 
     who--
       ``(i) reports directly to an Inspector General; or
       ``(ii) is designated by an Inspector General under 
     subparagraph (C).
       ``(C) Designation of staff members.--Each Inspector General 
     shall annually submit to the Chairperson of the Integrity 
     Committee a designation of positions whose holders are staff 
     members for purposes of subparagraph (B).
       ``(5) Review of allegations.--The Integrity Committee 
     shall--
       ``(A) review all allegations of wrongdoing the Integrity 
     Committee receives against an Inspector General, or against a 
     staff member of an Office of Inspector General described 
     under paragraph (4)(C);
       ``(B) refer any allegation of wrongdoing to the agency of 
     the executive branch with appropriate jurisdiction over the 
     matter; and
       ``(C) refer to the Chairperson of the Integrity Committee 
     any allegation of wrongdoing determined by the Integrity 
     Committee under subparagraph (A) to be potentially 
     meritorious that cannot be referred to an agency under 
     subparagraph (B).
       ``(6) Authority to investigate allegations.--
       ``(A) Requirement.--The Chairperson of the Integrity 
     Committee shall cause a thorough and timely investigation of 
     each allegation referred under paragraph (5)(C) to be 
     conducted in accordance with this paragraph.
       ``(B) Resources.--At the request of the Chairperson of the 
     Integrity Committee, the head of each agency or entity 
     represented on the Council--
       ``(i) may provide resources necessary to the Integrity 
     Committee; and
       ``(ii) may detail employees from that agency or entity to 
     the Integrity Committee, subject to the control and direction 
     of the Chairperson, to conduct an investigation under this 
     subsection.
       ``(7) Procedures for investigations.--
       ``(A) Standards applicable.--Investigations initiated under 
     this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with the 
     most current Quality Standards for Investigations issued by 
     the Council or by its predecessors (the President's Council 
     on Integrity and Efficiency and the Executive Council on 
     Integrity and Efficiency).
       ``(B) Additional policies and procedures.--
       ``(i) Establishment.--The Integrity Committee, in 
     conjunction with the Chairperson of the Council, shall 
     establish additional policies and procedures necessary to 
     ensure fairness and consistency in--

       ``(I) determining whether to initiate an investigation;
       ``(II) conducting investigations;
       ``(III) reporting the results of an investigation; and
       ``(IV) providing the person who is the subject of an 
     investigation with an opportunity to respond to any Integrity 
     Committee report.

       ``(ii) Submission to congress.--The Council shall submit a 
     copy of the policies and procedures established under clause 
     (i) to the congressional committees of jurisdiction.
       ``(C) Reports.--
       ``(i) Potentially meritorious allegations.--For allegations 
     described under paragraph (5)(C), the Chairperson of the 
     Integrity Committee shall make a report containing the 
     results of the investigation of the Chairperson and shall 
     provide such report to members of the Integrity Committee.
       ``(ii) Allegations of wrongdoing.--For allegations referred 
     to an agency under paragraph (5)(B), the head of that agency 
     shall make a report containing the results of the 
     investigation and shall provide such report to members of the 
     Integrity Committee.
       ``(8) Assessment and final disposition.--
       ``(A) In general.--With respect to any report received 
     under paragraph (7)(C), the Integrity Committee shall--
       ``(i) assess the report;
       ``(ii) forward the report, with the recommendations of the 
     Integrity Committee, including those on disciplinary action, 
     within 30 days (to the maximum extent practicable) after the 
     completion of the investigation, to the Executive Chairperson 
     of the Council and to the President (in the case of a report 
     relating to an Inspector General of an establishment or any 
     employee of that Inspector General) or the head of a 
     designated Federal entity (in the case of a report relating 
     to an Inspector General of such an entity or any employee of 
     that Inspector General) for resolution; and
       ``(iii) submit to the Committee on Government Oversight and 
     Reform of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and 
     other congressional committees of jurisdiction an executive 
     summary of such report and recommendations within 30 days 
     after the submission of such report to the Executive 
     Chairperson under clause (ii).
       ``(B) Disposition.--The Executive Chairperson of the 
     Council shall report to the Integrity Committee the final 
     disposition of the matter, including what action was taken by 
     the President or agency head.
       ``(9) Annual report.--The Council shall submit to Congress 
     and the President by December 31 of each year a report on the 
     activities of the Integrity Committee during the preceding 
     fiscal year, which shall include the following:
       ``(A) The number of allegations received.
       ``(B) The number of allegations referred to other agencies, 
     including the number of allegations referred for criminal 
     investigation.
       ``(C) The number of allegations referred to the Chairperson 
     of the Integrity Committee for investigation.
       ``(D) The number of allegations closed without referral.
       ``(E) The date each allegation was received and the date 
     each allegation was finally disposed of.
       ``(F) In the case of allegations referred to the 
     Chairperson of the Integrity Committee, a summary of the 
     status of the investigation of the allegations and, in the 
     case of investigations completed during the preceding fiscal 
     year, a summary of the findings of the investigations.
       ``(G) Other matters that the Council considers appropriate.
       ``(10) Requests for more information.--With respect to 
     paragraphs (8) and (9), the Council shall provide more 
     detailed information about specific allegations upon request 
     from any of the following:
       ``(A) The chairperson or ranking member of the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
       ``(B) The chairperson or ranking member of the Committee on 
     Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives.
       ``(C) The chairperson or ranking member of the 
     congressional committees of jurisdiction.
       ``(11) No right or benefit.--This subsection is not 
     intended to create any right or benefit, substantive or 
     procedural, enforceable at law by a person against the United 
     States, its agencies, its officers, or any person.''.
       (b) Allegations of Wrongdoing Against Special Counsel or 
     Deputy Special Counsel.--
       (1) Definitions.--In this section--
       (A) the term ``Integrity Committee'' means the Integrity 
     Committee established under section 11(d) of the Inspector 
     General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App), as amended by this Act; 
     and
       (B) the term ``Special Counsel'' refers to the Special 
     Counsel appointed under section 1211(b) of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       (2) Authority of integrity committee.--
       (A) In general.--An allegation of wrongdoing against the 
     Special Counsel or the Deputy Special Counsel may be 
     received, reviewed, and referred for investigation by the 
     Integrity Committee to the same extent and in the same manner 
     as in the case of an allegation against an Inspector General 
     (or a member of the staff of an Office of Inspector General), 
     subject to the requirement that the Special Counsel recuse 
     himself or herself from the consideration of any allegation 
     brought under this paragraph.
       (B) Coordination with existing provisions of law.--This 
     subsection does not eliminate access to the Merit Systems 
     Protection Board for review under section 7701 of title 5, 
     United States Code. To the extent that an allegation brought 
     under this subsection involves section 2302(b)(8) of that 
     title, a failure to obtain corrective action within 120 days 
     after the date on which that allegation is received by the 
     Integrity Committee shall, for purposes of section 1221 of 
     such title, be considered to satisfy section 1214(a)(3)(B) of 
     that title.
       (3) Regulations.--The Integrity Committee may prescribe any 
     rules or regulations necessary to carry out this subsection, 
     subject to such consultation or other requirements as might 
     otherwise apply.
       (c) Effective Date and Existing Executive Orders.--

[[Page H9880]]

       (1) Council.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Council of the Inspectors General 
     on Integrity and Efficiency established under this section 
     shall become effective and operational.
       (2) Executive orders.--Executive Order No. 12805, dated May 
     11, 1992, and Executive Order No. 12933, dated March 21, 1996 
     (as in effect before the date of the enactment of this Act) 
     shall have no force or effect on and after the earlier of--
       (A) the date on which the Council of the Inspectors General 
     on Integrity and Efficiency becomes effective and operational 
     as determined by the Executive Chairperson of the Council; or
       (B) the last day of the 180-day period beginning on the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       (d) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Inspector general act of 1978.--The Inspector General 
     Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended--
       (A) in sections 2(1), 4(b)(2), and 8G(a)(1)(A) by striking 
     ``section 11(2)'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``section 12(2)''; and
       (B) in section 8G(a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``section 11'' and inserting ``section 12''.
       (2) Separate appropriations account.--Section 1105(a) of 
     title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking the 
     first paragraph (33) and inserting the following:
       ``(33) a separate appropriation account for appropriations 
     for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
     Efficiency, and, included in that account, a separate 
     statement of the aggregate amount of appropriations requested 
     for each academy maintained by the Council of the Inspectors 
     General on Integrity and Efficiency.''.

     SEC. 8. SUBMISSION OF BUDGET REQUESTS TO CONGRESS.

       Section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
     App.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f)(1) For each fiscal year, an Inspector General shall 
     transmit a budget estimate and request to the head of the 
     establishment or designated Federal entity to which the 
     Inspector General reports. The budget request shall specify 
     the aggregate amount of funds requested for such fiscal year 
     for the operations of that Inspector General and shall 
     specify the amount requested for all training needs, 
     including a certification from the Inspector General that the 
     amount requested satisfies all training requirements for the 
     Inspector General's office for that fiscal year, and any 
     resources necessary to support the Council of the Inspectors 
     General on Integrity and Efficiency. Resources necessary to 
     support the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity 
     and Efficiency shall be specifically identified and justified 
     in the budget request.
       ``(2) In transmitting a proposed budget to the President 
     for approval, the head of each establishment or designated 
     Federal entity shall include--
       ``(A) an aggregate request for the Inspector General;
       ``(B) amounts for Inspector General training;
       ``(C) amounts for support of the Council of the Inspectors 
     General on Integrity and Efficiency; and
       ``(D) any comments of the affected Inspector General with 
     respect to the proposal.
       ``(3) The President shall include in each budget of the 
     United States Government submitted to Congress--
       ``(A) a separate statement of the budget estimate prepared 
     in accordance with paragraph (1);
       ``(B) the amount requested by the President for each 
     Inspector General;
       ``(C) the amount requested by the President for training of 
     Inspectors General;
       ``(D) the amount requested by the President for support for 
     the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
     Efficiency; and
       ``(E) any comments of the affected Inspector General with 
     respect to the proposal if the Inspector General concludes 
     that the budget submitted by the President would 
     substantially inhibit the Inspector General from performing 
     the duties of the office.''.

     SEC. 9. SUBPOENA POWER.

       Section 6(a)(4) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``in any medium (including electronically 
     stored information, as well as any tangible thing)'' after 
     ``other data''; and
       (2) by striking ``subpena'' and inserting ``subpoena''.

     SEC. 10. PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL REMEDIES ACT.

       Section 3801(a)(1) of title 31, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) a designated Federal entity (as such term is defined 
     under section 8G(a)(2) of the Inspector General Act of 
     1978);''.

     SEC. 11. LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY FOR DESIGNATED FEDERAL 
                   ENTITIES.

       Section 6(e) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
     App.) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``appointed under section 
     3''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) In this subsection, the term `Inspector General' 
     means an Inspector General appointed under section 3 or an 
     Inspector General appointed under section 8G.''.

     SEC. 12. APPLICATION OF SEMIANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 
                   WITH RESPECT TO INSPECTION REPORTS AND 
                   EVALUATION REPORTS.

       Section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
     App.) is amended--
       (1) in each of subsections (a)(6), (a)(8), (a)(9), (b)(2), 
     and (b)(3)--
       (A) by inserting ``, inspection reports, and evaluation 
     reports'' after ``audit reports'' the first place it appears; 
     and
       (B) by striking ``audit'' the second place it appears; and
       (2) in subsection (a)(10) by inserting ``, inspection 
     reports, and evaluation reports'' after ``audit reports''.

     SEC. 13. INFORMATION ON WEBSITES OF OFFICES OF INSPECTORS 
                   GENERAL.

       (a) In General.--The Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.) is amended by inserting after section 8K the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 8L. INFORMATION ON WEBSITES OF OFFICES OF INSPECTORS 
                   GENERAL.

       ``(a) Direct Links to Inspectors General Offices.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each agency shall establish and maintain 
     on the homepage of the website of that agency, a direct link 
     to the website of the Office of the Inspector General of that 
     agency.
       ``(2) Accessibility.--The direct link under paragraph (1) 
     shall be obvious and facilitate accessibility to the website 
     of the Office of the Inspector General.
       ``(b) Requirements for Inspectors General Websites.--
       ``(1) Posting of reports and audits.--The Inspector General 
     of each agency shall--
       ``(A) not later than 3 days after any report or audit (or 
     portion of any report or audit) is made publicly available, 
     post that report or audit (or portion of that report or 
     audit) on the website of the Office of Inspector General; and
       ``(B) ensure that any posted report or audit (or portion of 
     that report or audit) described under subparagraph (A)--
       ``(i) is easily accessible from a direct link on the 
     homepage of the website of the Office of the Inspector 
     General;
       ``(ii) includes a summary of the findings of the Inspector 
     General; and
       ``(iii) is in a format that--

       ``(I) is searchable and downloadable; and
       ``(II) facilitates printing by individuals of the public 
     accessing the website.

       ``(2) Reporting of fraud, waste, and abuse.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Inspector General of each agency 
     shall establish and maintain a direct link on the homepage of 
     the website of the Office of the Inspector General for 
     individuals to report fraud, waste, and abuse. Individuals 
     reporting fraud, waste, or abuse using the direct link 
     established under this paragraph shall not be required to 
     provide personally identifying information relating to that 
     individual.
       ``(B) Anonymity.--The Inspector General of each agency 
     shall not disclose the identity of any individual making a 
     report under this paragraph without the consent of the 
     individual unless the Inspector General determines that such 
     a disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the 
     investigation.''.
       (b) Repeal.--Section 746(b) of the Financial Services and 
     General Government Appropriations Act, 2008 (5 U.S.C. App. 
     note; 121 Stat. 2034) is repealed.
       (c) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the head of each agency and the 
     Inspector General of each agency shall implement the 
     amendment made by this section.

     SEC. 14. OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 6(d) of the Inspector General Act 
     of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d)(1)(A) For purposes of applying the provisions of law 
     identified in subparagraph (B)--
       ``(i) each Office of Inspector General shall be considered 
     to be a separate agency; and
       ``(ii) the Inspector General who is the head of an office 
     referred to in clause (i) shall, with respect to such office, 
     have the functions, powers, and duties of an agency head or 
     appointing authority under such provisions.
       ``(B) This paragraph applies with respect to the following 
     provisions of title 5, United States Code:
       ``(i) Subchapter II of chapter 35.
       ``(ii) Sections 8335(b), 8336, 8344, 8414, 8468, and 
     8425(b).
       ``(iii) All provisions relating to the Senior Executive 
     Service (as determined by the Office of Personnel 
     Management), subject to paragraph (2).
       ``(2) For purposes of applying section 4507(b) of title 5, 
     United States Code, paragraph (1)(A)(ii) shall be applied by 
     substituting `the Council of the Inspectors General on 
     Integrity and Efficiency (established by section 11 of the 
     Inspector General Act) shall' for `the Inspector General who 
     is the head of an office referred to in clause (i) shall, 
     with respect to such office,'.''.
       (b) Authority of Treasury Inspector General for Tax 
     Administration To Protect Internal Revenue Service 
     Employees.--Section 8D(k)(1)(C) of the Inspector General Act 
     of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by striking ``physical 
     security'' and inserting ``protection to the Commissioner of 
     Internal Revenue''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Towns) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.

[[Page H9881]]

  Mr. TOWNS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 928, the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, focuses on the 
important role of the Inspectors General in providing independent 
oversight within Federal agencies. By investigating and reporting 
waste, fraud and abuse to both agency leaders and to the Congress, 
Inspectors General play a critical role in maintaining checks and 
balances in the Federal Government.
  This bill strengthens and reforms the Inspector General system by 
providing greater independence and accountability for IG offices. H.R. 
928 first passed this House last October with more than 400 votes. The 
other body passed a similar bill sponsored by Senator McCaskill earlier 
this year. We have worked with the Senate to resolve the differences 
between the two bills and produce the amended bill now under 
consideration. It passed the Senate by unanimous consent last night.
  H.R. 928 enhances the rank and pay of IGs within their agencies, and 
requires that Congress be promptly informed if an IG is transferred or 
removed from office. It provides a mechanism for IGs to report to 
Congress if their budgets are inadequate to perform their 
responsibilities and sets aside funding for training. And the bill 
establishes an Inspectors General Council, and sets procedures for 
investigating potential IG misconduct.
  I would like to commend the sponsor of this bill, my good friend Mr. 
Cooper from the great State of Tennessee, for his work in crafting this 
legislation. He has worked on it for several years as part of his work 
on improving government accountability.
  I also thank Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis as well as the 
subcommittee Ranking Member Bilbray for their work in moving this bill 
forward.
  H.R. 928 will make sure that the IGs have the legal authority and 
tools necessary to continue their role as nonpartisan, professional, 
honest brokers on behalf of the people.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHAYS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I'm rising in support of this legislation. The Government Oversight 
and Reform Committee works very closely with both the general 
accountability office and the Inspector General's office. The Inspector 
Generals play a major role in our ability to weed out waste, abuse and 
fraud. We need to strengthen this office.
  And we appreciate the work that Mr. Cooper has been involved in to 
bring this legislation forward.
  I will insert my full statement into the Record.
  Madam Speaker, today, we take up H.R. 928, the Improving Government 
Accountability Act. This legislation is intended to enhance the 
independence of inspectors general throughout government to improve 
their ability to monitor and oversee executive branch operations.
  Since the enactment of the Inspector General Act of 1978, inspectors 
general throughout government have played an integral role in 
identifying waste and mismanagement in government. IGs have also been 
instrumental in aiding Congress and the executive branch to make 
government more efficient and effective.
  We all agree IGs should operate independently, free from political 
interference. After all, both agency heads and Congress often rely on 
IG reports to provide frank assessments of the effectiveness of Federal 
programs.
  However, inspectors general should also be part of an agency's 
management structure--albeit with some independence--rather than a 
``fourth branch'' of the Federal Government. We must be careful not to 
separate the IGs from the day-to-day operations of the agencies they 
oversee so they may continue to perform a constructive, integrated role 
and not just ``second-guess'' the decisions made by agencies.
  I believe the compromise legislation we are taking up today strikes 
the right balance between IG independence and the appropriate 
management role of inspectors general.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOWNS. I would like to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Tennessee, who is a person who came to us early on with this idea 
which, I think, is an excellent one, so I am delighted to yield 5 
minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cooper).
  Mr. COOPER. Thanks to my friend and colleague Mr. Towns of New York 
and my friend from Connecticut, Mr. Shays.
  This is a very important bill for cleaning up the mess in government. 
Inspectors General are the watchdogs on behalf of the U.S. taxpayer to 
make sure that the waste, fraud and abuse that can occur in any Federal 
agency is cleaned up.
  This bill is long overdue. We've been working on it for a long time. 
Sadly, it took many years for it to be brought up for a vote. But now 
with the Democratic majority, it passed, as my friend from New York 
noted, overwhelmingly. It has been passed in the Senate, and now will 
soon be enacted into law.
  The key points are these: We needed to professionalize the IGs. These 
are wonderful public servants, but due to historical accident, some of 
them are appointed by the President, some are appointed by the agency 
heads, some of them are more independent than others. There's been a 
lot of confusion there, and they simply haven't had the independence 
and the accountability that they need to have to serve the U.S. 
taxpayer.
  I want to thank, in particular, previous legislative directors that 
I've had who've worked on this bill for literally many years. Anne Kim 
deserves great credit. Cicely Simpson deserves great credit. And my 
current Legislative Director, James Leuschen, deserves great credit 
because these are the folks who really carried the ball during the 
years in which we were, literally, unable to get a vote.
  Believe it or not, this bill even faced, this year, a Presidential 
veto threat; they were so worried about reducing the patronage that 
they had had in past appointments.
  But now, finally, the IGs of America will be professionalized. That 
is good news, not only for every Federal agency, but also, most 
importantly, for the Federal taxpayer.
  No matter how much oversight we conduct in this Congress, and I'm 
proud to see the Oversight and Government Reform Committee revitalized 
under Henry Waxman's leadership, because we are conducting the hearings 
that really should have been held over many years.

                              {time}  1100

  But no matter how watchful Congress is in looking over Federal 
agencies, we can't be on the ground in the agency every day the way 
Inspectors General can be.
  So I want to congratulate my friends from New York and Connecticut 
because these two gentlemen are true public servants. Their hearts are 
in the right place when it comes to protecting the taxpayer, and now 
we've even persuaded the majority of the House and the Senate and the 
White House to do the right thing.
  I hope we can have a substantial vote on the suspension for 
professionalizing Inspectors General of the United States of America.
  Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, this legislation is essential if the United 
States Congress is going to do its job. Our job is not just writing 
legislation; our job is to do proper oversight of all of the various 
departments and agencies.
  We have Inspectors General that are assigned for each of our 
departments. We have some who do a really outstanding job, and we have 
some who do a good job, and some who, frankly, need to do a better job.
  I think this legislation will help professionalize this agency in a 
way that's important for our people, for our country, and for the 
majority and the minority in this Congress. We want a more efficient 
government. We want a better-run government. Inspectors General help us 
do that.
  I yield back my time.
  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I really feel that this legislation is so 
timely, because when you talk to people, when we had hearings that 
Inspectors General would come in and talk about the fact that sometimes 
they would be in the middle of an investigation of some type and that 
the budget would be cut, or in some instances they were actually fired.
  So I think this kind of brings about the independence that they need 
regardless in terms of the fact that if there is an investigation, if 
there's problems, it gives them the freedom to be able to move and get 
the things they need to get done.
  I would like to commend all of my colleagues that have been involved 
in this issue. I would like to commend the staff for bringing us where 
we are today.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R.

[[Page H9882]]

928, the ``Inspector General Reform Act'' This legislation includes 
provisions of a bill that I introduced last year, along with Ranking 
Member Tom Davis, which will provide for the enhanced protection of the 
Internal Revenue Service and its employees.
  In 1998, Congress passed the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring 
and Reform Act, which created the Treasury Inspector General for Tax 
Administration (TIGTA). The legislation gave TIGTA the responsibility 
for protecting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) against external 
attempts to corrupt or threaten IRS employees. At the same time, it 
excluded the provision of providing ``physical security'' from TIGTA's 
responsibilities
  Prior to the enactment of this law, the former IRS Inspection Service 
had been responsible for protecting the IRS against external attempts 
to corrupt or threaten IRS employees. The IRS Inspection Service was 
responsible for providing armed escorts for IRS employees who were 
specifically threatened or who were contacting individuals designated 
as ``Potentially Dangerous Taxpayers.'' The law transferred most of 
those duties to the new Treasury Inspector General for Tax 
Administration. Inexplicably, ``physical security'' was excluded from 
TIGTA's statutory responsibilities.
  In its current statutory mission, TIGTA investigates all allegations 
of threats or assaults involving IRS employees and assists U.S. 
Attorneys' offices with appropriate prosecutions. However, if TIGTA 
determines that any of the threats or assaults it investigates call for 
the provision of physical security, the language of the 1998 law 
precludes TIGTA from taking action.
  Authorizing TIGTA to have armed escort authority would be both more 
efficient and more effective in advancing tax administration and 
ensuring the safety of IRS employees.
  I am pleased that upon passage of H.R. 928 today, this bill will be 
sent to the president for his signature. I want to thank Chairman 
Waxman and Ranking Member Davis for their support of this provision, 
and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 928.
  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, today, we take up H.R. 928, the 
Improving Government Accountability Act. This legislation is intended 
to enhance the independence of inspectors general throughout government 
to improve their ability to monitor and oversee executive branch 
operations.
  Since the enactment of the Inspector General Act of 1978, inspectors 
general throughout government have played an integral role in 
identifying waste and mismanagement in government. IGs have also been 
instrumental in aiding Congress and the executive branch to make 
government more efficient and effective.
  We all agree IGs should operate independently, free from political 
interference. After all, both agency heads and Congress often rely on 
IG reports to provide frank assessments of the effectiveness of federal 
programs.
  However, inspectors general should also be part of an agency's 
management structure--albeit with some independence--rather than a 
``fourth branch'' of the Federal Government. If we separate the IGs 
from the day-to-day operations of the agencies they oversee, IGs will 
cease to perform a constructive, integrated role and instead would 
become a ``Monday morning quarterback'' with their function solely 
second-guessing decisions made by agencies.
  The House passed its version of this bill last October. At the time, 
while I supported the bill, I remained concerned that several of the 
provisions went too far in isolating inspectors general, removing them 
from the agency decision-making process.
  After the Senate passed its bill in April, we began discussions with 
the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and 
developed a compromise to both bills--which we are taking up today.
  I will support the compromise bill as I believe it adequately 
addresses my remaining concerns by striking the right balance between 
IG independence and the appropriate management role of inspectors 
general.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate amendments 
to H.R. 928, the Improving Government Accountability Act. This bill, 
introduced by Representative Cooper, was favorably reported by the 
Oversight Committee on August 2, 2007, with strong support from members 
across the political spectrum.
  There is a simple reason why this bill has so much support: it 
strengthens the Inspectors General, who are the first line of defense 
against waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs.
  The last six years have given us examples of Inspectors General at 
their best and at their worst.
  Stuart Bowen, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, 
has uncovered fraud and saved American taxpayers hundreds of millions 
of dollars. Clark Kent Erving and Richard Skinner, the former and 
current IGs for the Department of Homeland Security, have identified 
billions in wasteful spending in the new Department. Glenn Fine at the 
Department of Justice; Earl Delvaney at Interior; and Brian Miller at 
the General Services Administration have all reported courageously on 
abuses within the agencies they oversee.
  These and other IGs have fought waste, fraud, and abuse and saved the 
taxpayers billions of dollars.
  Yet there are also IGs who seem more intent on protecting their 
departments from political embarrassment than on doing their job. The 
Oversight Committee is investigating allegations that the State 
Department IG has blocked investigations into contract fraud in Iraq 
and Afghanistan. The Energy and Commerce Committee documented serious 
abuses by the former IG in the Commerce Department. And the Science 
Committee has identified serious questions raised about the close 
relationship of the NASA IG to agency management.
  This bill strengthens the good IGs by giving them greater 
independence. Under this legislation, they will have new budgetary 
independence, and the President or agency head will have to inform 
Congress 30 days before any IG is removed.
  At the same time, the legislation enacts in statute new mechanisms 
for holding bad IGs to account. The legislation establishes an 
``Integrity Committee'' that will investigate allegations that IGs have 
abused the public trust.
  There have been several key champions of the legislation. 
Representative Cooper has worked tirelessly on this issue for years and 
deserves our thanks for his efforts. I would also like to acknowledge 
Subcommittee Chairman Towns for his tremendous leadership in moving 
this legislation forward and Ranking Member Tom Davis for his 
commitment to strong IGs and his many helpful contributions.
  H.R. 928 would make needed improvements to the IG Act and I urge 
members to support it.
  Mr. TOWNS. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) that the House suspend the rules 
and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 928.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________