10 of 69 Inspectors General Posts Vacant Including at CIA, State Department and GAO

WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Darrell Issa, the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sent a letter today to President Obama expressing “concern that the community of federal Inspectors General (IGs) is short-handed due to the absence of permanent leadership at key agencies.”

“During a time of record federal spending and increased agency activities, the American people have a right to know that a robust group of independent watchdogs is in place to guard taxpayers against waste, fraud and mismanagement,” Issa wrote to the President.  “Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the alarmingly high number of vacancies in the IG community is the fact that many occur at agencies with critical roles in national security.”

To date, 10 of the 69 Offices of Inspectors General are operating without permanent leadership, including at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), U.S. Department of State, The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO).  The CIA has operated with oversight from a permanent IG since March of 2009.  The State Department has been without a permanent IG since December of 2007.  The OSC, which investigates whistle-blower complaints, has had no leader since October of 2008. 

“With billions of dollars at stake, every Inspector General must be capable of taking decisive actions to protect taxpayer dollars under the guidance of an independent and well-qualified leader,” Issa wrote to President Obama.  “There is perhaps no greater ally than the IG community to your Administration’s oft-stated commitment to transparency and accountability.”

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