The
Inspector General Act of 1978 requires each IG to prepare
a semiannual report to the Congress. The Inspector General
has a dual responsibility to keep the agency head and the
Congress informed of deficiencies related to the administration
of programs. Section 5 of the Act sets forth very specific
requirements for the semiannual report. The report is a barometer
the Congress uses to oversee the agency.
Senior
OIG staff are often requested to provide expert testimony
to oversight committees of the Congress. These hearings are
intended to bring problems to the forefront so that the Congress
can take action to correct problem situations. Oversight committees
play an important role in examining the impact of issues from
all sides, that is, from the program manager to the program
recipients. These various perspectives help the Congress in
making determinations of the need for new or revised legislation.
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