Legislation that would expand the authority of inspectors general to conduct investigations advanced through the House on Tuesday.
The bill, HR 2395, passed the chamber’s Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by a voice vote, with no audible dissent.
Both the active chair, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) and ranking member Elijah Cummings described the measure,which was only just introduced on Monday, as long-needed. They singled it out as praiseworthy for seeking to enable IGs to compel testimony from contractors and former officials.
“Congress is long overdue in giving the IG several of these tools, like the ability for an inspector general to issue subpoenas for witnesses who refuse to appear voluntarily,” Meadows said.
The committee’s regular chair, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), missed the hearing because he was undergoing emergency gallbladder surgery.
Cummings noted that he was “pleased to be an original co-sponsor” of the bill alongside Chaffetz, saying it would grant “a significant, a very significant new authority, which I have raised concerns about in the past.”
Meadows also commented that the bill would give IGs the power to “manipulate certain electronic data” in their ongoing efforts to sniff out malfeasance, and Cummings stated that it would additionally streamline investigations of abusive inspectors general, while removing restrictions on the sort of information they’re allowed to demand from agencies they supervise.
Cummings pointed out that HR 2395 would also prevent inspectors general from abusing powers bestowed to them under the legislation. He said it would subject the testimonial subpoena power to a review and possible veto from the Attorney General, in the event that it would impede an active investigation, and that it would require IGs to seek approval from three members of the Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency before issuing any subpoenas to individuals not employed by the government at the time.
“It’s important that we include safeguards, however, to protect against the possibility of an IG abusing unliateral power to issue subpoenas,” he said. “I believe the bill strikes the very careful balance in granting IGs with the authority to interview witnesses outside the government, while also providing these important checks against potential abuse.”
The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution gives any US citizen the right to refuse to testify, under oath, in any kind of way that could be construed as self-incriminating.
