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Jan 24 2013

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Senators Urge President to Fill IG Vacancies

WASHINGTON – Today, incoming Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Ranking Member Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) with their Committee colleagues sent a bipartisan letter urging President Obama to quickly nominate candidates to fill vacant Inspector General positions at six major federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security.

"The value of the Inspectors General goes beyond dollars; these offices also help reveal and prosecute wrongdoing, and promote the integrity of government. They provide invaluable support to Congressional budgeting and oversight work. Inspectors General are an essential component of government oversight," the Senators wrote. "Inspectors General occupy a unique role – tasked with 'speaking truth to power' and with dual reporting obligations to their agency head and to Congress. A sustained absence of permanent leadership is not healthy for any office – particularly one entrusted with as important and challenging a mission as an Office of Inspector General."

Senators Carper and Coburn expect the Administration to continue its commitment to limiting vacancies at important positions throughout the federal government by quickly nominating qualified and experienced individuals to fill the Inspectors General vacancies. The Senate also has an important responsibility to consider the Administration's nominees for these critical jobs in the Executive branch in a thorough, but timely manner.

Other HSGAC Committee Senators joined Sens. Carper and Coburn on the letter, which included: Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Claire McCaskill ( D-Mo.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.).

A full copy of the letter is available here.  A copy of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's corresponding letter is available here. 

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