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Two of the top Senate Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), wrote a letter this week to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and demanded he “promptly reverse course” on a plan to defund a key group related to the federal government’s inspector generals.
The Washington Post reported on Vought’s plan on Tuesday, explaining that starting Wednesday, the Trump administration “plans to end funding” for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) . The group is “ the umbrella organization for 72 inspectors general across government” that “helps inspectors general root out waste, fraud and abuse” in the government, added the Post.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, which Grassley chairs, put out a statement on Tuesday that said Grassley and Collins “sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought calling on OMB to reverse its decision to withhold apportionments for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC).”
“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,” the senators wrote in their letter.
“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,” continued the letter, adding:
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.
Trump fired almost two dozen inspectors general after starting his second term, sparking an outcry among observers who warned against Trump interfering with the independent watchdogs. Last week, a judge found Trump broke the law by not giving Congress a 30-day notice before the firings.
The post Top Senate Republicans Demand Trump Admin ‘Promptly Reverse Course’ On Defunding Watchdog Group first appeared on Mediaite.
