[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

                                 ______
                                 

 REPORT TO ADVISE THAT HE IS EXERCISING HIS AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE AN 
     ACTING INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE--PM 49

  The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message 
from the President of the United States, together with an accompanying 
report; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation:

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.

                          ____________________