Bill would shield most federal watchdogs from firing

What does this do?

This bill creates a new Inspector General office inside the Executive Office of the President, the group of agencies that directly support the White House. The President would have 90 days to appoint someone to that role. The bill also limits the reasons the President can remove most presidentially appointed Inspectors General to three: inefficiency, misconduct, or neglect of duty.

Who does it affect?

The bill affects the President, most presidentially appointed Inspectors General across major federal departments and agencies, and the federal employees and programs those watchdogs oversee. Inspectors General at roughly two dozen independent agencies, such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Transportation Safety Board, would not receive the new removal protections.

Why does it matter?

Because removal would be restricted to specific causes, Inspectors General would be harder to dismiss outside those reasons. A new watchdog office would exist where none currently does, covering the agencies and staff that support the White House directly.

Where does it stand?