Former Inspector General: Federal Watchdogs Shouldn’t Be Muzzled

At a time when Americans are, rightfully, demanding increased accountability from leaders in the public and private sectors, it is astounding that the one position specifically charged with holding our elected and appointed federal officials accountable is being handcuffed in its ability to do its mandated job.  I am referring to our nation’s inspectors general (IGs) who, since 1978, have been formally tasked with uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse in government. In August, a letter signed by 47 U.S. inspectors general outlined the struggles faced in trying to obtain records they deem necessary from three government agencies.

The clashes with the Department of Justice, Peace Corps, and Environmental Protection Agency were rooted in claims that issues of privilege or other legal protections override the expressed authorization in the Inspector General Act of 1978, which grants IGs prompt and unrestricted access to all necessary information and materials, without unreasonable administrative limitations or burdens.  These instances, of course, are not the first time that IGs have run into obstructions trying to fulfill their responsibilities to the American public. However, it is unprecedented that they would reach out to Congress in an overwhelming and unified voice to express their grave concerns about serious limitations on accessing records. The IG Act is clear on the point of open access, and the law is clearly on the side of the IGs.

I was fortunate during my tenure as inspector general of the Tennessee Valley Authority and deputy inspector general of the U.S. Postal Service to have boards that understood the important role IGs play and the statutory independence envisioned by the IG Act. They conveyed a zero tolerance policy to management within the agencies in terms of interference with our work...