Political Quotes

“Mr. President, the Senator from Missouri, my friend, has given a very good explanation of this bill. Before I give my version of it, which will be similar to hers, I wish to compliment her because she is in a position of jurisdiction over IGs. She has done a very good job of strengthening these positions in other legislation she has sponsored. So I feel very good to be in the company of the Senator from Missouri on this amendment. Our amendment would correct serious problems in section 989B of the Dodd-Lincoln substitute. This section of the bill would change the way that five inspectors general are hired and fired. Currently, these five inspectors general are hired and fired by the agency that they oversee, but section 989B would put the President in charge of hiring and firing them. This provision was included because the sponsors of the legislation believe that making inspectors general Presidentially appointed will make them more independent. However, rather than strengthening oversight over our financial institutions with more independent watchdogs, section 989B could introduce politics into what have traditionally been career, nonpolitical positions. Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, there are two types of inspectors general, presidentially appointed IGs and designated Federal entity IGs, DFE IGs. Both types of inspectors general are tasked with hunting down waste, fraud, and abuse at Federal agencies.…”