H.R. 4587 — Independent Acting IGs Act of 2025

This section revises procedures under the Inspector General Act of 1978 for designating acting Inspectors General (IGs) for positions requiring presidential appointment and Senate confirmation, notwithstanding the Vacancies Reform Act (5 U.S.C. §3347). (As background, OIGs conduct independent oversight of federal agency programs, operations, and personnel to detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement.) Specifically, it amends 5 U.S.C. §403(h) as follows: (1) requires the Principal Deputy IG or Deputy IG to have served in grade for at least 180 of the preceding 365 days to perform acting IG duties; (2) designates the first assistant to the IG as acting IG if the IG position is vacant, with a new process under paragraph (5) if that position is vacant or the first assistant is unable, unavailable, or declines; and (3) establishes a process for judicial appointment of an acting IG, including (A) random selection of a circuit court judge by the chief judge of the relevant court of appeals, (B) convening of a three-IG committee by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency Chairperson within 14 days of the triggering vacancy to recommend at least two candidates, (C) submission of recommendations within 14 days, and (D) appointment by the judge within 14 days thereafter, with the judge holding sole authority until the permanent vacancy is filled. This section also ratifies as law a prior House-passed provision (sec. 3(a)(2)(C) of H.R. 7326, 118th Cong.) prior to these amendments.