To prevent the denial of access to records and documents by various inspectors general.

SA 2971. Mr. TESTER (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, Mrs. Murray, Mr.
Isakson, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Hirono, Mrs. Gillibrand,
Mr.

[[Page S4051]]

Manchin, and Mr. King) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
to amendment SA 2910 proposed by Mr. Shelby to the bill H.R. 5895,
making appropriations for energy and water development and related
agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place in title II of division C, insert
the following:

SEC. ___. INSPECTORS GENERAL.

(a) Prohibition on Use of Funds.--None of the funds
appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be
used to deny an Inspector General funded under this Act
timely access to any records, documents, or other materials
available to the department or agency of the United States
Government over which such Inspector General has
responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5
U.S.C. App.), or to prevent or impede the access of such
Inspector General to such records, documents, or other
materials, under any provision of law, except a provision of
law that expressly refers to such Inspector General and
expressly limits the right of access of such Inspector
General.
(b) Timely Access.--A department or agency covered by this
section shall provide its Inspector General access to all
records, documents, and other materials in a timely manner.
(c) Compliance.--Each Inspector General covered by this
section shall ensure compliance with statutory limitations on
disclosure relevant to the information provided by the
department or agency over which that Inspector General has
responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5
U.S.C. App.).
(d) Report.--Each Inspector General covered by this section
shall report to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate
and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives within 5 calendar days of any failure by any
department or agency covered by this section to comply with
this section.
______