March 18, 2025
Mr. Connolly (for himself, Ms. Norton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Mfume, Ms. Brown, Ms. Stansbury, Mr. Garcia of California, Mr. Frost, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Mr. Casar, Ms. Crockett, Ms. Randall, Mr. Subramanyam, Ms. Ansari, Mr. Bell, Ms. Simon, Mr. Min, Ms. Pressley, and Ms. Tlaib) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
To amend chapter 4 of title 5, United States Code, to establish a for-cause removal standard for Inspectors General, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. For cause removal standard for Inspectors General
Chapter 4 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in section 403(b)—
(A)
by striking (b) Removal or transfer.—
and inserting:
(b) Removal or transfer
(1)
(A)
An;
(B)
in subparagraph (A), as so designated, by inserting after by the President
the following: in accordance with paragraph (3)
; and
(C)
by inserting at the end the following:
(3)
The President may remove an Inspector General only for any of the following grounds (and the documentation of any such ground shall be included in the communication required pursuant to paragraph (1)):
(A)
Documented permanent incapacity.
(B)
Documented neglect of duty.
(C)
Documented malfeasance.
(D)
Documented conviction of a felony or conduct involving moral turpitude.
(E)
Documented knowing violation of a law or regulation.
(F)
Documented gross mismanagement.
(G)
Documented gross waste of funds.
(H)
Documented abuse of authority.
(I)
Documented inefficiency.; and
(2)
in section 415(e)(2)—
(A)
by striking Transferred.—If
and inserting the following:
Transferred.—
(A)
If; and
(B)
in subparagraph (A), as so designated, by adding at the end the following:
An Inspector General may be removed only for any of the following grounds (and the documentation of any such ground shall be included in the communication required pursuant to this paragraph):
(i)
Documented permanent incapacity.
(ii)
Documented neglect of duty.
(iii)
Documented malfeasance.
(iv)
Documented conviction of a felony or conduct involving moral turpitude.
(v)
Documented knowing violation of a law or regulation.
(vi)
Documented gross mismanagement.
(vii)
Documented gross waste of funds.
(viii)
Documented abuse of authority.
(ix)
Documented inefficiency.