H.R. 2662 · 117th Congress · House

Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act of 2021

In Congress· Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 585.
Introduced
Apr 19, 21
Passed House
Jun 29, 21
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act of 2021

This bill addresses issues regarding inspectors general (IGs).

For example, if the President fails to make a formal nomination for a vacant IG position within a certain timeline, the bill requires the President to communicate to Congress the reasons for such a failure and a target date for the nomination.

Previous Versions

53Jun 29, 2021

IG Independence and Empowerment Act

This bill addresses issues regarding inspectors general (IGs) and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Integrity Committee. The committee is charged with investigating allegations of wrongdoing against office of IG officials.

The bill allows an IG to be removed only for cause, such as for documented malfeasance. Congress must be notified before an IG is placed on nonduty status. The bill requires the President to explain any failure to nominate an IG and adds provisions regarding acting IGs when an IG position is vacant.

The committee must notify Congress when an allegation of wrongdoing made by a Member of Congress is closed without referral for investigation.

The bill requires CIGIE to report semiannually to Congress and the President on the activities of the committee. The bill adds provisions regarding appointment of former IGs to the committee. An IG must refer to the committee any allegation of wrongdoing against that IG.

The bill grants (1) IGs the authority to subpoena witnesses who are not currently government employees, and (2) the Department of Justice (DOJ) IG the authority to investigate wrongdoing by DOJ attorneys.

The bill requires notification to Congress of an IG's ongoing investigations when the IG is placed on nonduty status.

IGs must notify Congress if agencies deny access to requested information.

The bill requires the establishment of minimum standards and best practices for IG training.

The Government Accountability Office shall review the effectiveness of the processes of the CIGIE committee and of the offices of IGs for ensuring IG accountability, integrity, and independence.

08Jun 17, 2021

IG Independence and Empowerment Act

This bill addresses issues regarding inspectors general (IGs) and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Integrity Committee. The committee is charged with investigating allegations of wrongdoing against office of IG officials.

The bill allows an IG to be removed only for cause, such as for documented malfeasance. Congress must be notified before an IG is placed on nonduty status. The bill requires the President to explain any failure to nominate an IG and adds provisions regarding acting IGs when an IG position is vacant.

The committee must notify Congress when an allegation of wrongdoing made by a Member of Congress is closed without referral for investigation.

The bill requires CIGIE to report semiannually to Congress and the President on the activities of the committee. The bill adds provisions regarding appointment of former IGs to the committee. An IG must refer to the committee any allegation of wrongdoing against that IG.

The bill grants (1) IGs the authority to subpoena witnesses who are not currently government employees, and (2) the Department of Justice (DOJ) IG the authority to investigate wrongdoing by DOJ attorneys.

The bill requires notification to Congress of an IG's ongoing investigations when the IG is placed on nonduty status.

IGs must notify Congress if agencies deny access to requested information.

The bill requires the establishment of minimum standards and best practices for IG training.

00Apr 19, 2021

IG Independence and Empowerment Act

This bill addresses issues regarding inspectors general (IGs) and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Integrity Committee. The committee is charged with investigating allegations of wrongdoing against office of IG officials.

The bill allows an IG to be removed only for cause, such as for documented malfeasance. Congress must be notified before an IG is placed on nonduty status. The bill requires the President to explain any failure to nominate an IG and adds provisions regarding acting IGs when an IG position is vacant.

The committee must notify Congress when an allegation of wrongdoing made by a Member of Congress is closed without referral for investigation.

The bill requires CIGIE to report semiannually to Congress and the President on the activities of the committee. The bill adds provisions regarding appointment of former IGs to the committee. An IG must refer to the committee any allegation of wrongdoing against that IG.

The bill grants (1) IGs the authority to subpoena witnesses who are not currently government employees, and (2) the Department of Justice (DOJ) IG the authority to investigate wrongdoing by DOJ attorneys.

The bill requires notification to Congress and CIGIE of an IG's ongoing investigations when the IG is placed on nonduty status.

IGs must notify Congress if agencies deny access to requested information.

Action Timeline

30
  1. DEC 05, 2022Committee

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

    Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-226.

    117Yea
    226Nay
    0NV
  2. DEC 05, 2022Committee

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

    Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-226.

    117Yea
    226Nay
    0NV
  3. DEC 05, 2022Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 585.

  4. NOV 03, 2021Committee

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

    Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  5. OCT 21, 2021Committee

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held.

  6. JUL 12, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

  7. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 504. (consideration

    CR H3276-3290; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3276-3279)

    3276Yea
    3290Nay
    0NV
  8. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R

    2662, H.R. 3005, H.R. 3684 and H. Res. 503. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 2662, under a structured rule; one hour of general debate on H.R. 3005, under a closed rule; 90 minutes of general debate on H.R. 3684; and one hour of general debate on H. Res. 503, under a closed rule. Resolution provides en bloc suspension authority.

  9. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2662.

  10. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H

    Res. 504, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Carolyn B. Maloney (NY) amendment en bloc No. 1.

  11. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Carolyn B

    Maloney (NY) amendment en bloc No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Comer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

  12. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H

    Res. 504, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Comer amendment No. 4.

  13. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Comer amendment No

    4, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Comer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

  14. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table

    Agreed to without objection.

  15. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table

    Agreed to without objection.

  16. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #195

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 182 (Roll no. 195).

    221Yea
    182Nay
    0NV
  17. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #195

    221 - 182 (Roll no. 195).

    221Yea
    182Nay
    0NV
  18. JUN 29, 2021Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  19. JUN 28, 2021Floor

    Rules Committee Resolution H

    Res. 504 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2662, H.R. 3005, H.R. 3684 and H. Res. 503. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 2662, under a structured rule; one hour of general debate on H.R. 3005, under a closed rule; 90 minutes of general debate on H.R. 3684; and one hour of general debate on H. Res. 503, under a closed rule. Resolution provides en bloc suspension authority.

  20. JUN 17, 2021Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Reform

    H. Rept. 117-66, Part I.

    117Yea
    66Nay
    0NV
  21. JUN 17, 2021Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Reform

    H. Rept. 117-66, Part I.

    117Yea
    66Nay
    0NV
  22. JUN 17, 2021Committee

    Committee on the Budget discharged.

  23. JUN 17, 2021Discharge

    Committee on the Budget discharged.

  24. JUN 17, 2021Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 47.

  25. MAY 25, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  26. MAY 25, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 18.

    22Yea
    18Nay
    0NV
  27. APR 19, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  28. APR 19, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  29. APR 19, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  30. APR 19, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Committees

9

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

ssga00

Referred: Dec 5, 2022

Active

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

ssga00

Referred: Nov 3, 2021

Active

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

ssga00

Referred: Oct 21, 2021

Active

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

ssga00

Referred: Jul 12, 2021

Active

Budget Committee

hsbu00

Referred: Jun 17, 2021

Active

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: Jun 17, 2021

Active

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: May 25, 2021

Active

Budget Committee

hsbu00

Referred: Apr 19, 2021

Active

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: Apr 19, 2021

Active