Bill that would strengthen offices of inspectors general passes Senate

A bill that would better shield offices of inspectors general from political pressures passed the Senate Wednesday. The House is also expected to approve the measure despite the prospect of a White House veto, according to an Associated Press report.

As a watered-down version of a House bill that passed in October, the Senate bill would allow Congress to more closely monitor the budget request process for offices of inspectors general, while also establishing a new council to review claims of wrongdoing against inspectors or their staff, among other provisions. The House version would have limited IG’s to seven-year terms and greatly narrowed down the reasons for which an IG could be fired.

The White House has threatened a veto based on constitutional concerns.