Federal watchdogs have opened a new front in their battle with the Justice Department for access to records to root out waste, fraud and abuse, an appeal to Congress for legislation affirming their authority to conduct independent oversight.
The Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, which represents 72 inspectors general across the federal government, sent a letter to congressional leaders just before a Senate committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the issue Wednesday. The watchdogs say a ruling last month by the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel undermines the landmark legislation Congress passed in 1978 that created the position of inspector general.
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