Independent Acting IGs Act of 2025
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.
Passage Likelihood
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill changes how the government fills temporary vacancies for Inspectors General, the federal watchdogs who investigate waste, fraud, and abuse in government agencies. It shifts the power to appoint acting IGs away from the executive branch in certain situations.
From policy text
“To amend title 5, United States Code, to require a judge on the appropriate court of appeals of the United States to appoint certain acting Inspectors General in the event of a vacancy, and for other purposes.”
View in full text - Under current law, when an IG leaves, a deputy can automatically step in. This bill adds a new requirement: that deputy must have been serving in their role for at least 180 of the previous 365 days before they can take over as acting IG.
- If no qualified deputy is available, a committee of three Inspectors General from the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency must recommend at least two candidates within 14 days. A randomly selected federal appeals court judge then picks one to serve as acting IG.
From policy text
“the Chairperson of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall convene a committee of 3 Inspectors General who are members of the Chairperson of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and the committee shall recommend to the judge selected under subparagraph (A) to appoint the acting Inspector General not fewer than 2 candidates”
View in full text - The judge who makes this appointment is selected at random from the court of appeals for the circuit where the IG office is headquartered, and that judge has sole authority over the appointment until the vacancy is permanently filled.
From policy text
“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”
View in full text - The bill also gives legal force to a provision from a prior House-passed bill (H.R. 7326), applying it as a technical fix that takes effect before the main amendments in this legislation.
From policy text
“Section 3(a)(2)(C) of H.R. 7326, as passed by the House of Representatives on December 3, 2024, shall have the force and effect of law.”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Milestones
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.
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Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Independent Acting IGs Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.