Rep. Cohen Introduces Bill to Let Judges Appoint Acting Watchdogs
This bill was recently introduced and is currently being reviewed by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. It is in the early stages of the legislative process and is considered active. There are no further actions scheduled at this time.
This bill faces a tough path because it takes power away from the executive branch and gives it to judges. It was introduced by a member of the minority party and lacks broad support.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
This bill directly affects the small group of federal employees who serve as Inspectors General and their senior deputies. By requiring judicial appointment of acting IGs rather than political appointment, it strengthens the independence of the offices that oversee federal agencies. This could create a more stable and politically insulated environment for IG staff to conduct investigations without fear of retaliation or interference from the agencies they oversee.
“A judge, selected at random from the court of appeals for the circuit within which the headquarters of the Office of the Inspector General is located by the chief judge of such court of appeals, shall appoint the acting Inspector General”
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduced the Inspectors General Independence Act (S 3687) to prohibit the president from installing administration officials as agency inspectors general. The move follows a wave of firings and the appointment of Trump loyalists to watchdog roles in 2025.
President Trump replaced acting inspectors general at the Education and Commerce departments, drawing condemnation from oversight groups. Critics argue the removal of acting IGs undermines the independence of watchdogs responsible for uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse.
Senators introduced legislation to prevent political appointees from being named as agency inspectors general. The bill responds to the dismissal of 19 IGs in 2025 and seeks to ensure that 'cops on the beat' remain independent from the administrations they oversee.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Independent Acting IGs Act of 2025
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