PRIA Logo™
118-s-1510118th Congress

GAO Inspector General Parity Act

Sponsored By: Senator Braun, Mike [R-IN]

Became Law

Summary

Strengthens independence and parity for the Government Accountability Office Inspector General. It requires detailed, written reasons before removal or transfer, secures the IG's budget inside the GAO, and guarantees access to independent legal counsel.

Show full summary
  • Inspectors General: The Comptroller General must provide Congress with detailed, case-specific written reasons at least 30 days before removing or transferring the IG. If there is an open or completed inquiry, the communication must identify each entity conducting the inquiry and include findings from completed inquiries.
  • Non-duty status rules: Only the Comptroller General may place the IG on non-duty status. The Comptroller General must give Congress written, case-specific reasons at least 15 days before the change unless a specific-threat determination requires same-day notice, and the IG may not be placed on non-duty status during the 30 days before removal unless that threat determination is made and reported.
  • Budget independence: The Comptroller General must include the IG's annual budget request in the GAO budget without change, preserving the IG's budget submission.
  • Legal advice and personnel pay: The IG may obtain legal advice from counsel who reports directly to the IG or from counsel of another Inspector General. The law removes a former limit that capped office staff pay at no more than $1,000 less than the Inspector General's annual pay.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Budget and pay flexibility for GAO Inspector General

The Comptroller General includes the Inspector General’s annual budget request in GAO’s budget without changes. The law also removes a rule that capped OIG staff pay at $1,000 below the Inspector General’s pay. It does not set new pay rates or dollar amounts. These changes take effect upon enactment.

Stronger safeguards for GAO Inspector General

The Comptroller General must tell Congress at least 30 days before removing or transferring the GAO Inspector General. The notice must give detailed, case-specific reasons and name any related inquiries and findings. The Inspector General gets legal advice from counsel who reports directly to the IG, or from another IG’s counsel. These rules apply upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Braun, Mike [R-IN]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 5/10/2023

  • Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 11/13/2023

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation