Hawkeye Reporter

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), who chair the Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees, have called on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to release funds already appropriated for two key government oversight bodies: the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC). In a letter sent to OMB Director Russ Vought, they urged a reversal of OMB’s decision to withhold apportionments for these organizations.

“Absent immediate action, CIGIE and PRAC will need to furlough staff and terminate important functions that help prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the government,” Grassley and Collins wrote. “Congress has already appropriated FY 2026 funds for CIGIE and PRAC, and both entities enjoy strong bipartisan support. Thus, any adverse consequences will be solely due to OMB’s decision not to apportion available funds, rather than any lapse in appropriations.”

They continued: “Of course, we recognize the need to ensure that all government entities are good stewards of taxpayer dollars and operate efficiently and effectively. We understand from your staff that OMB’s apportionment decision may be part of a review of CIGIE and PRAC activities. However, we see no reason why such a review could not occur while those entities remain operational so that they can continue the numerous functions that are mandated by law.”

Grassley and Collins were instrumental in passing the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, which established CIGIE as an organization focused on improving integrity, efficiency, professionalism, and effectiveness across federal agencies through oversight workforces. Grassley is also a founding member of the bipartisan Senate IG Caucus.

In 2020, Congress created PRAC under CIGIE as part of the CARES Act to oversee pandemic-related spending. This year Congress extended PRAC's authorization through new legislation tied to tax laws for 2025.

The senators' letter asks OMB several questions about its withholding decision: why it has failed to release funds for fiscal year 2026 operations; what legal authority supports this move; when it plans to provide funding; why any review cannot happen without halting operations; details about ongoing reviews; their scope; intended effects; timelines; as well as potential cost savings.

The lawmakers stated their willingness to consider reforms if necessary but stressed such changes should not disrupt current oversight work. They requested answers from OMB by October 3.