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The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is gathering from federal inspectors general lists of their unimplemented recommendations under President Bush, information that will allow Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., to step up monitoring of agencies and IGs.

Waxman wants the independent watchdogs by Thursday to provide reports detailing all their recommendations since Jan. 1, 2001, that their agencies did not accept. In letters sent Dec. 7, Waxman asked 63 federal IGs to summarize each unimplemented recommendation, estimate the cost savings and other benefits, and describe the investigation that prompted the recommendation.

The lists will give the committee a tool for its aggressive oversight of the Bush administration and help ensure inspectors general participate in that effort. "We want to see whether the IGs are doing their job and whether the agencies are doing theirs," Waxman, who recently forced the resignation of the State Department's inspector general, said Tuesday.

The committee's scrutiny of IGs' work is part of a broader congressional effort to step up oversight of IGs and alter their operational rules. A bill aimed at increasing IG independence, passed by the House, includes a provision intended to assure IGs have relevant experience. Many lawmakers have argued some IGs are unqualified. In a report last year, Waxman said IGs appointed under President Bush are less qualified and more likely to have political backgrounds than those appointed during the Clinton administration.

Inspector general offices operate within agencies but report to Congress. Their reports frequently contain lengthy lists of recommendations, which agencies have no legal obligation to adopt.

But the committee can use the lists to increase pressure on agencies. Asked if agency heads testifying before the committee can expect queries about IG recommendations they ignored, Waxman said, "That's why we sent the letter."

A committee spokeswoman said most inspector general offices have responded to the letter, though some will miss the deadline. The reports will resemble a report on unimplemented recommendations compiled by Health and Human Services Department Inspector General Daniel Levinson, who heads one the largest IG offices.

The committee has gathered the information quietly. Unlike much of the committee's communications, the Dec. 7 letter to IGs was not initially put online but was posted Tuesday.

COMMENTS

• If Henry Waxman's staff ever read IG semi-annual reports, they'd see that OPM routinely rejects 30 percent or more of IG dollar findings of predictable and recurring overcharges to govt. by health insurance contractors. Just since CY 2000, OPM has rejected IG auditor findings of well over 225 million dollars in illegal contractor overcharges. Unfortunately, the IG has been in the tank with OPM for over fifteen years and rarely challenges agency decisions, even those that ignore or discard IG recommendations. Ken Huffman Posted February 1, 2008 3:06 PM
• Peace Corps IG recommendations before Congress regarding ending the five year 'opportunity' law. Legislation regarding funding of pensions, pension account creation at the Department of the Treasury controlled by the Director along with the five year employent law waivers. It should be obvious that Lantos had the legislation passed by voice vote for a reason. I wonder if he is retiring at AARP? Peace Corps is partnering with AARP to keep older PCVs, volunteers, at the agency. The PCV attrition rate is high for older PCVs. Basically, PCVs leave the agency after training and months after service begins. They tend to leave and join other groups in country. The goal of the partnering program is keep the PCVs at the agency for the two years and possibly longer after mandatory termination for more tours. AARP is a recruiting and support for older PCVs. AARP may want to watch the PCVs to see how they do and what the problems are at the agency once the PCV goes through training and begins service. Small business works well with Peace corps as this is allot of the work in country. Legislation just passed and being voted on in Congress involves Peace Corps, taxes and a fund for pensions controlled by the Director along with employment extensions beyond the two and five year limits at the Treasury Department. AARP has bought a package of the best agencies and government organizations and this should help with recruiting, training, retention, funding, and legislation at the agencies, departments and business organizations. Dece Posted January 31, 2008 2:15 PM
• Can anyone tell me where Congressman Waxman's letter to IGs is posted, and does it list the agency IGs to which it was sent? Is this public information? Sue Walternson Posted January 31, 2008 11:42 AM