Federal inspectors general are asking Congress to do away with what they say are legal barriers agencies are throwing up to keep information away from their in-house watchdogs. Information the inspectors general say they need to complete their investigations. Now they're fighting back with a legislative package. Michael Horowitz is chairman of the Council of Inspectors General and IG at the Justice Department, where the blockage started. In an interview on Federal Drive with Tom Temin, Horowitz outlined the problem and the strategy for fixing it.
The Government Accountability Office has sent all agency heads a rank-ordered list of unaddressed issues it feels must be addressed before the next president takes office, fearing many of them will be lost in the weeds of the transition process
The Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency is urging lawmakers to pass legislation restoring access to records and information for federal inspectors general.
Michael Horowitz, inspector general at the Justice Department, says a recent decision by his agency's Office of Legal Counsel threatens the independent oversight of all IGs.
A recent decision from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel says inspectors general must get permission from their agencies before gaining access to certain documents like grand jury, wiretap and credit information. The inspector general community says it's another attack against the independent oversight at the center of their responsibilities. The Senate Judiciary Committee largely agrees. Michael Horowitz is the inspector general at the Justice Department and director of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. He's leading the charge against the OLC's latest decision and tells In Depth with Francis Rose why it would make his job more difficult.
The Senate Judiciary Committee mediates a crisis caused by a Justice Department legal opinion that says inspectors general should not automatically get access to all records they need for their investigations.
President Barack Obama named Mary Kendall as his choice to be the permanent inspector general at the Interior Department. The announcement came a day after oversight experts criticized the President for not filling the position, which has been vacant for 2,291 days.
Four inspectors general tell the Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee they need legislative help in order to help them effectively oversee federal agencies.
Inspectors general across government are facing delays and denials when they ask for access to information. The Inspector General at the Justice Department, Michael Horowitz, detailed a disagreement his office has with the FBI at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing. General Horowitz is also chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he talked about the implications for access denial and delays.
A trio of inspectors general told the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform today about obstacles they routinely encounter in obtaining records as part of their investigations into potential wrongdoing.
New leadership is coming to the Council of Inspectors General. On Jan. 1, Michael Horowitz, inspector general of the Justice Department, will begin his two-year term as chair of the organization. He and his predecessor, former GSA IG Brian Miller, discussed the many challenges of directing the 72 inspectors general in government.
New leadership is coming to the Council of Inspectors General in the federal government. The Chair of that organization serves a two-year term, and the new leader takes over Jan. 1. Brian Miller of Navigant is former Inspector General at the General Services Administration. He brought the council's new leader on In Depth with Francis Rose to officially introduce him.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) says agency inspectors general are increasingly facing obstacles in their efforts to uncover waste and misconduct. The top watchdogs at both the Justice Department and the Peace Corps told lawmakers they've faced resistance from their agencies at times in turning over records in recent years. Lawmakers also expressed concern about the impact of across-the-board budget cuts on the operations agency IG operations.
On the Federal Drive show blog, you can listen to our interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day, as well as links to other stories and resources we discuss.
OPM's Sydney Smith-Heimbrock talks about new guidance for agencies to help them protect and empower employees. Inspector General Michael Horowitz of the Justice Department discusses a new report that paints a disturbing portrait of an office supposedly dedicated to fairness and equality. Analyst Gretchen Goldman for the Union of Concerned Scientist's Center for Science and Democracy discusses transparency and openness in the Obama administration. Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas) talks about the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013.