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June 07, 2023

Thompson Introduces Legislation to Address Troubles at DHS Inspector General’s Office

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced introduction of the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Transparency Act to address years of troubling reports calling into question the quality, effectiveness, and transparency of the DHS Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) oversight activities as well as its management.  H.R. 3846 aims to improve the management of the Office, along with the quality and transparency of its reports, by requiring it to:

  • Publicly publish reports that substantiate whistleblower retaliation or allegations of misconduct, waste, fraud, abuse, or a violation of policy involving a member of the Senior Executive Service or politically appointed official of DHS.
  • Report to Congress on any audits, inspections, or evaluations that have been delayed or terminated.
  • Provide Congress data on the number and type of tips and complaints made to the OIG Hotline, including descriptions of actions taken by DHS to address these tips and complaints.
  • Submit a report on the OIG’s policies and procedures established to ensure compliance with quality standards to the Government Accountability Office so it can perform an evaluation of such report.

“Unfortunately, there have been numerous issues at the DHS Office of Inspector General in recent years showing it is failing in its mission to be an independent oversight body that Congress can rely on to provide fact-based analyses of DHS’s programs, activities, and personnel,” said Congressman Thompson. “My bill aims to ensure that when the IG substantiates wrongdoing within the Department, particularly as it relates to senior officials or whistleblower retaliation claims, timely information is shared with Congress and the public to ensure accountability at all levels.”

H.R. 3846 is also co-sponsored by Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Committee’s Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Subcommittee.  Ranking Member Ivey recently sent a letter to Subcommittee Chairman Dan Bishop to request a hearing on the conduct of the IG.

Link to Bill Factsheet

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Press Contact

Adam Comis at 202-225-9978