Impact of Administrative Budget Procedures on the Independence of Offices of Inspector General

GAO discussed its review of the impact of agency administrative budget procedures on the independence of inspectors general (IG's). GAO stated that, while authorizing legislation for IG's provides for IG independence, it makes no provision regarding IG staffing and budget procedures. GAO stated that four agency budget practices which hamper IG independence are: (1) imposition of staffing or budget ceilings; (2) exposure of IG budget requests to unnecessary levels of review within an agency, resulting in modified requests being transmitted to agency heads; (3) reprogramming of IG funds to other agency activities; and (4) limitation of IG access to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget. GAO believes that modification or elimination of such practices will decrease restrictions on the independence of IG's.