HR-2662 : Still Just a Bill

IG Independence and Empowerment Act

This bill addresses issues regarding inspectors general (IGs) and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Integrity Committee. The committee is charged with investigating allegations of wrongdoing against office of IG officials.

The bill allows an IG to be removed only for cause, such as for documented malfeasance. Congress must be notified before an IG is placed on nonduty status. The bill requires the President to explain any failure to nominate an IG and adds provisions regarding acting IGs when an IG position is vacant.

The committee must notify Congress when an allegation of wrongdoing made by a Member of Congress is closed without referral for investigation.

The bill requires CIGIE to report semiannually to Congress and the President on the activities of the committee. The bill adds provisions regarding appointment of former IGs to the committee. An IG must refer to the committee any allegation of wrongdoing against that IG.

The bill grants (1) IGs the authority to subpoena witnesses who are not currently government employees, and (2) the Department of Justice (DOJ) IG the authority to investigate wrongdoing by DOJ attorneys.

The bill requires notification to Congress and CIGIE of an IG's ongoing investigations when the IG is placed on nonduty status.

IGs must notify Congress if agencies deny access to requested information.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2022-12-05CalendarsPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 585.Senate
2022-12-05CommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-226.Senate
2021-11-03CommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.Senate
2021-10-21CommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held.Senate
2021-07-12IntroReferralReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.Senate
2021-06-29FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2021-06-29VoteOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 182 (Roll no. 195).House floor actions
2021-06-29FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2021-06-29FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2021-06-29FloorPOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Comer amendment No. 4, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Comer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
2021-06-29FloorDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 504, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Comer amendment No. 4.House floor actions
2021-06-29FloorPOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Carolyn B. Maloney (NY) amendment en bloc No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Comer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
2021-06-29FloorDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 504, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Carolyn B. Maloney (NY) amendment en bloc No. 1.House floor actions
2021-06-29FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2662.House floor actions
2021-06-29FloorRule provides for consideration of H.R. 2662, H.R. 3005, H.R. 3684 and H. Res. 503. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 2662, under a structured rule; one hour of general debate on H.R. 3005, under a closed rule; 90 minutes of general debate on H.R. 3684; and one hour of general debate on H. Res. 503, under a closed rule. Resolution provides en bloc suspension authority.House floor actions
2021-06-29FloorConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 504. (consideration: CR H3276-3290; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3276-3279)House floor actions
2021-06-28FloorRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 504 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2662, H.R. 3005, H.R. 3684 and H. Res. 503. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 2662, under a structured rule; one hour of general debate on H.R. 3005, under a closed rule; 90 minutes of general debate on H.R. 3684; and one hour of general debate on H. Res. 503, under a closed rule. Resolution provides en bloc suspension authority.House floor actions
2021-06-17CalendarsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 47.House floor actions
2021-06-17DischargeCommittee on the Budget discharged.House floor actions
2021-06-17CommitteeReported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Reform. H. Rept. 117-66, Part I.House floor actions
2021-05-25CommitteeOrdered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 18.House committee actions
2021-05-25CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2021-04-19IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2021-04-19IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2021-04-19IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Government Operations and Politics
See Subjects
  • Advisory bodies
  • Budget process
  • Congressional oversight
  • Employee hiring
  • Employee performance
  • Employment discrimination and employee rights
  • Evidence and witnesses
  • Executive agency funding and structure
  • Federal officials
  • Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
  • Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
  • Right of privacy
  • Wages and earnings

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