"The Offices of Inspectors General were established by the Inspector General Act of 1978. To carry out their responsibilities, the Offices of Inspectors General have broad investigative authority. They have access to documents relating to programs and operations within their area of responsibility. They have the ability to administer oaths, affirmations, or affidavits and the power of subpoena"--Page 1.

This is the first oversight hearing in 7 years on the Inspector General Act of 1978. The executive branch has 61 Inspectors General. They are a valuable tool in making the rest of the Federal Government accountable, but they themselves must also be accountable. Witnesses: IGs & former IGs. Also: Institute of Public Admin.; Public Policy Program, the PEW Charitable Trusts; & William Esposito, chairman, President's Council on Integrity & Efficiency Integrity Committee & Criminal Investigative Div., FBI.

A 2020 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title How officials reporting to both executive officials and congressional representatives work to keep the government honest, efficient, and effective. Inspectors general are important players in the federal government, and their work often draws considerable public attention when one of them uncovers serious misdeeds or mismanagement that make the headlines. This book by two experts in public policy provides a comprehensive, up-to-date examination of how inspectors general have operated in the four decades since Congress established the offices to investigate waste, fraud, and mismanagement at federal agencies and to promote efficiency and effectiveness in government programs. Unique among federal officials, inspectors general are independent of the agencies they monitor, and they report to the executive and legislative branches of government. One key factor in their independence is that they are expected to be non-partisan and carry out their work without regard to partisan interests. The authors of U.S. Inspectors General: Truth Tellers in Turbulent Times emphasize the “strategic environment” in which inspectors general work and interact with a variety of stakeholders, inside and outside the government. Their new book is based on in-depth case studies, a survey of inspectors general, and a review of public documents related to the work of inspectors general. It will be of interest to scholars and students of public policy and public management, journalists, and ordinary citizens interested in how the government works—or doesn’t work—on their behalf.