For Immediate Release
December 16, 2016
Washington, DC
Contact: Mark Jones
Executive Director
(202) 292-2600
President Obama Signs the Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016
This afternoon, President Obama signed into law H.R. 6450, the Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016, a landmark piece of legislation welcomed by IGs and all advocates of government accountability and efficiency.
The timing of the President’s signature is especially appropriate in light of the passing last week of Senator John Glenn, one of the foremost supporters of IGs and an original sponsor of the Inspector General Act of 1978. Senator Glenn once said of the creation of federal Inspectors General, “To me, this represents a singularly important success for the Congress and the American people, one which I am hopeful we will continue to build into the 21st century and beyond.”
True to this sentiment, just last year Senator Glenn offered unequivocal endorsement of the IG Empowerment Act in a letter to Congress, writing that “[t]he Inspector General Act has stood the test of time,” noting that the “billions of dollars recovered for the government and the increased efficiency and effectiveness of government programs and operations are a testament to the Act's continued success,” and calling on Congress to “take action to protect the independent access rights of Inspectors General.”
CIGIE applauds the actions of the President and Congress in heeding Senator Glenn’s call for strong and independent government oversight, and for demonstrating their support for the federal Inspector General community.