H.R. 1847House116th Congress (2019-2021)Passed House

Inspector General Protection Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 3:19 AM UTC

The Inspector General Protection Act makes it mandatory for the executive branch to inform Congress whenever an inspector general’s employment status changes, such as removal or placement on paid or unpaid non‑duty status. It also requires the President to explain in writing to Congress if a vacant inspector general position is not filled within 210 days, including reasons and a target nomination date. The bill applies to inspectors general of federal offices and designated entities and takes effect shortly after enactment.

Key Provisions

Amends the Inspector General Act to require congressional notification of any removal, placement on paid or unpaid non‑duty status, or other change in status for inspectors general of federal offices and designated entities.
Creates a new statutory requirement that the President must send Congress a written explanation within 30 days after a 210‑day vacancy period if he has not nominated a replacement inspector general, stating reasons and a target nomination date.
Sets the amendments to take effect 30 days after enactment, and the presidential explanation requirement applies to vacancies occurring on or after the enactment date.

Legislative Activity

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10 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

July 18, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 21, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

March 21, 2019

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

March 26, 2019

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

March 26, 2019

HouseFloor

Mr. Rouda moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

July 17, 2019 • 3:27 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5950-5951)

July 17, 2019 • 3:27 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1847.

July 17, 2019 • 3:27 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5950)

July 17, 2019 • 3:37 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5950)

July 17, 2019 • 3:37 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

July 17, 2019 • 3:37 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

July 18, 2019

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued July 18, 2019

IIB

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1847

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 18, 2019

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

AN ACT

To require congressional notification for certain changes in status of inspectors general, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Inspector General Protection Act.

Congressional notification of change in status of Inspector General

(a)

Change in status of Inspector General of offices

Section 3(b) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—

(1)

by inserting , is placed on paid or unpaid non-duty status, after is removed from office;

(2)

by inserting , change in status, after any such removal; and

(3)

by inserting , change in status, after before the removal.

(b)

Change in status of Inspector General of designated Federal entities

Section 8G(e)(2) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—

(1)

by inserting , is placed on paid or unpaid non-duty status, after office;

(2)

by inserting , change in status, after any such removal; and

(3)

by inserting , change in status, after before the removal.

(c)

Effective Date

The amendments made by this section shall take effect 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Presidential explanation of failure to nominate an Inspector General

(a)

In General

Subchapter III of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3349d the following new section:

3349e.

Presidential explanation of failure to nominate an Inspector General

If the President fails to make a formal nomination for a vacant Inspector General position that requires a formal nomination by the President to be filled within the period beginning on the date on which the vacancy occurred and ending on the day that is 210 days after that date, the President shall communicate, within 30 days after the end of such period, to Congress in writing—

(1)

the reasons why the President has not yet made a formal nomination; and

(2)

a target date for making a formal nomination.

(b)

Clerical Amendment

The table of sections for chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 3349d the following new item:

3349e. Presidential explanation of failure to nominate an Inspector General.

(c)

Effective Date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to any vacancy first occurring on or after that date.

Determination of budgetary effects

The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

Passed the House of Representatives July 17, 2019.

Cheryl L. Johnson,

Clerk