Office of Management and Budget Inspector General Act

Bill Number: H.R. 2221
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Government Operations and Politics
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Last Updated: 2026-06-04T08:08:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation aims to establish an Office of Inspector General (OIG) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), a key executive branch agency that helps oversee federal spending and operations. This would promote accountability and oversight, though in a limited way, by creating an independent watchdog focused only on legally assigned duties.

Key Provisions

Inclusion in Existing Framework: Amends Section 401 of Title 5, United States Code (which lists federal entities required to have an OIG), to explicitly include the OMB.
Limited Jurisdiction: Adds a new Section 421A to Title 5, specifying that the OMB's OIG can only investigate or audit matters specifically assigned to the OMB by federal law, preventing broad or unchecked authority.
Appointment Process: Requires the President to appoint an Inspector General for the OMB within 120 days of the bill's enactment, following standard procedures under Section 403(a) of Title 5 (which generally mandates appointment by the President with Senate confirmation for such roles).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Prior to this bill, the OMB did not have its own dedicated OIG, relying instead on general oversight mechanisms or other inspectors general for related reviews.
Introduces a tailored limitation on the OIG's powers (via Section 421A), which is unique compared to most other federal OIGs that have broader investigative authority over their parent agencies.
Updates the table of contents in Chapter 4 of Title 5 to reflect the new section.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Could improve targeted oversight of OMB's legally assigned functions, such as budget analysis or regulatory review, potentially reducing waste or misconduct in those areas without disrupting broader operations.
On Citizens: May indirectly enhance public trust in federal budgeting and management by adding accountability, though the limited scope means it won't broadly affect everyday services or taxes.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as OMB's role is primarily domestic, but could strengthen U.S. fiscal transparency in global financial discussions.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Directly gains an internal oversight body, which could influence its internal processes and decision-making.
President and Executive Branch: Bears responsibility for appointing the OIG and defining its scope through future laws, potentially affecting executive control over budgeting.
Congress: Gains a mechanism to ensure OMB accountability on specific issues, aligning with its oversight role in appropriations and government reform.
Federal Employees and Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through potential improvements in OMB efficiency and anti-corruption measures.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Reinforces the Inspector General Act framework (established in 1978 to combat fraud and abuse) by extending it to OMB, but the jurisdiction limit ensures it complies with separation of powers by avoiding overreach into executive functions.
Constitutional: Aligns with Article II's executive oversight powers, as the President's appointment role maintains White House involvement without undermining independence.
Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by a mix of Democrats) suggests broad support for government accountability, but the narrow focus may limit controversy; it could set a precedent for creating specialized OIGs in other agencies if successful.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]

Cosponsors (25)

Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]

Recent Actions

2025-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
2025-03-18: Introduced in House
2025-03-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Office of Management and Budget Inspector General Act — issued 2025-03-18 — PDF (3 pages)