Senator Seeks Independence Day for IGs

Freshman Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., wants more independence for inspectors general. She's introduced legislation that would mandate that IGs be appointed for seven-year terms and only be removable for cause. IGs also would have to have management and oversight experience, couldn't take bonuses from their agencies and would submit their budget requests directly to the Office of Management and Budget. (That looks like a shot at the General Services Administration's Lurita Doan, who got in a high-profile budget spat with her agency's IG last year.)

The bill echoes a measure introduced in the House by Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., last month.