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Committee examines impact of inspector general removals, workforce cuts and funding freezes at EPA and DOE
Summary
Lawmakers and oversight witnesses told the House subcommittee that recent removals of inspector generals, large workforce departures and agency hiring freezes have complicated oversight and program implementation, affecting permit reviews, grants monitoring and delivery of projects such as clean school bus rebates.
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee pressed GAO and inspector general witnesses about the consequences of recent mass departures, firings and hiring freezes at the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, and the related suspension or review of awards and disbursements.
Ranking Member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said he was "genuinely shocked" that the subcommittee was holding its hearing while, he asserted, administrations had removed numerous inspector generals. Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Rep. Kathy Manning among others also raised concerns. Several members noted that the inspector generals for EPA and DOE had been removed and that the law requires Congress be notified before an IG termination.
Nicole Murley,…
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