DeLauro Introduces Bill to Create Inspector General for the Executive Office of the President

WASHINGTON, DC (February 14, 2017) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today introduced the Federal Executive Accountability Act, legislation that would create an Office of the Inspector General for the Executive Office of the President. Currently, there are 73 Inspectors General, which find and eliminate fraud and abuse at the nation's agencies and departments. However, there is not an Inspector General for the Executive Office of the President. With countless ethical red flags within the White House, an Office of Inspector General will help ensure that the White House and the various agencies within the Office of the President act with the public's interest in mind.

"We are less than a month into President Trump's Administration, yet the American people are on the cusp of witnessing some of the greatest scams in presidential history. We have never seen such a level of collusion and corruption in the highest levels of our government, not even with Watergate in the Nixon Administration or the Teapot Dome Scandal in the Harding Administration," said DeLauro. "With President Trump's refusal to fully divest from his businesses, the Trump Administration continues to be embroiled in a cloud of ethical and legal concerns."

"Today, both trust in government and confidence in public institutions are at record lows. To restore that trust, we must insist on a strong ethical framework and invest in robust oversight of our federal government," continued DeLauro. "The American people deserve to know that the White House serves the nation, not the President's businesses."

The Department of Justice's Office of Special Counsel is responsible for investigating and prosecuting individuals holding or formerly holding high federal positions for wrongdoing. An Inspector General in the Executive Office of the President would promote an ethical environment at the White House and create an additional layer of review to provide nonpartisan recommendations for improving the functions of the White House and reduce the possibility of scandal. Further, the Inspector General could provide constructive criticism and recommendations, and would also provide employees with a safe place to voice complaints.

DeLauro was joined in introducing the legislation by Congressmen José E. Serrano (NY-15) and Mike Quigley (IL-05), the Ranking Members of the Appropriations subcommittees responsible for funding the Department of Justice and the Executive Office of the President, respectively.