Congressman Steve Russell’s attempt to provide limited subpoena power to federal Inspectors General makes it past the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Tuesday. The IG Subpoena Authority Act (H.R. 4917) passed unanimously by voice vote.
The measure is meant to enhance the ability of Inspectors General to root out waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in federal agencies and departments. It would allow them to issue testimonial subpoenas for contractors, grant recipients and former federal employees. A panel will be formed to review any subpoena and requires notifying the U.S. Attorney General before the subpoena is issued to preserve the integrity of ongoing Department of Justice investigations.
“When an IRS official can simply walk into retirement or a government executive can simply resign and therefore no longer be subject to IG investigations, the American people get angry. This bill will help hold wrongdoers accountable and will give the Department of Justice the same types of tools that our Department of Defense currently has,” said Russell.
