(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) and Tom Carper (D-DE) introduced S. 2651, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General Mandates Revision Act of 2014, which would eliminate excessive, unread and outdated reports mandated by federal law.  

“Congress mandates hundreds of reports that often waste valuable time and resources on unnecessary and outdated products that no one reads.   S. 2651 attempts to relieve this burden for the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.  This legislation will provide flexibility for the office to perform more important audits vital to its oversight function and mission of preventing waste, fraud, and abuse,” Dr. Coburn said.  “These outdated reports are largely busy work that does not result in any real changes.  This bill eliminates these wasteful reporting requirements that cost taxpayers a total of $7.8 million last year, and do little to help the Department of Homeland Security better protect our nation.  Instead of mandating reports, Congress should mandate results and conduct real oversight to make sure agencies are operating efficiently.”   

“In an agency as large and important as the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of the Inspector General is a critical ally,” said Chairman Carper. “It is our duty in Congress to conduct fruitful oversight and ensure that the role and functionality of the Inspector General is fully supported. This measure is an important step that will eliminate certain wasteful reports that often restate information already provided by federal agencies, as well as enhance the Inspector General’s ability to deter waste, fraud and abuse within the Department. It will also enable the Department’s Inspector General and Congress to spend more time working together to recommend ways for the Department to carry out its critical responsibilities in the most effective and efficient ways possible.”

See a summary of the legislation here.

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