Grassley: Obama ‘stonewalled’ watchdogs

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) blasted President Obama’s administration for stonewalling agency inspectors general.

“This is an administration that pledged to be the most transparent in history. Yet, these nonpartisan, independent agency watchdogs say they are getting stonewalled,” Grassley said Tuesday. “How are the watchdogs supposed to be able to do their jobs without agency cooperation? Inspectors general exist to improve agencies and get the most bang for every tax dollar.”

{mosads}Grassley’s comments came after a group of 47 inspectors general wrote him a letter expressing their concern about government agencies refusing to give them access to records. The inspectors general specifically called out Department of Justice, the Chemical Safety Board and the Peace Corps as examples. 

“This letter underscores the need for congressional review and possibly legislative action,” Grassley said. “Congress needs to respond when inspectors general ask for help. I’ll continue working with the committees of jurisdiction to fix the access problems, through oversight and possibly legislation.”

Grassley serves are ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees the DOJ.