Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill, titled the "Bringing Executive Accountability, Clarity, and Oversight Now Act" or the "BEACON Act," amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to establish an Office of Inspector General (IG) in the Executive Office of the President (EOP) . The President is mandated to appoint this Inspector General within 120 days of the Act's enactment. The primary purpose of this new office is to conduct independent audits and investigations to promote efficiency, detect fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensure accountability within the EOP. The legislation includes special provisions granting the President authority, direction, and control over audits or investigations, or the issuance of subpoenas, that require access to information concerning confidential sources, intelligence matters, or undercover operations. The President may even prohibit such activities if deemed necessary to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information, but must provide written notice to the Inspector General within 30 days, who then transmits this notice to relevant congressional committees. The EOP IG is required to submit semiannual reports to both the President and Congress, detailing corrective actions, access to information, and any instances where presidential power limited an investigation. Additionally, the bill mandates that the EOP IG, in consultation with the Information Security Oversight Office, conduct two evaluations of the EOP's classification policies to identify practices contributing to misclassification. These evaluations are to be completed within one year of enactment and one year thereafter, with reports on findings and recommendations submitted to Congress and the President. The Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency will also conduct annual audits of the EOP IG's office to ensure its effectiveness.
This bill, titled the "Bringing Executive Accountability, Clarity, and Oversight Now Act" or the "BEACON Act," amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to establish an Office of Inspector General (IG) in the Executive Office of the President (EOP) . The President is mandated to appoint this Inspector General within 120 days of the Act's enactment. The primary purpose of this new office is to conduct independent audits and investigations to promote efficiency, detect fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensure accountability within the EOP. The legislation includes special provisions granting the President authority, direction, and control over audits or investigations, or the issuance of subpoenas, that require access to information concerning confidential sources, intelligence matters, or undercover operations. The President may even prohibit such activities if deemed necessary to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information, but must provide written notice to the Inspector General within 30 days, who then transmits this notice to relevant congressional committees. The EOP IG is required to submit semiannual reports to both the President and Congress, detailing corrective actions, access to information, and any instances where presidential power limited an investigation. Additionally, the bill mandates that the EOP IG, in consultation with the Information Security Oversight Office, conduct two evaluations of the EOP's classification policies to identify practices contributing to misclassification. These evaluations are to be completed within one year of enactment and one year thereafter, with reports on findings and recommendations submitted to Congress and the President. The Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency will also conduct annual audits of the EOP IG's office to ensure its effectiveness.