After questioning the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) about oversight funding, the federal office recently acquiesced to demands by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and apportioned $5 million for the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) to ensure it can continue operations through the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.
“We are pleased that following our outreach, OMB has decided to release funds that will allow PRAC to remain operational and continue its vital oversight work,” said Sen. Collins and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in a joint statement released Oct. 1.
The senators in a Sept. 29 letter sent to OMB Director Russell Vought, requested that the funding for both PRAC and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) be released.
“This funding ensures that PRAC can keep its staff in place to continue providing the transparency and accountability that taxpayers deserve,” Sen. Collins and her colleague said on Wednesday. “While this is a positive step, OMB should promptly apportion funds for CIGIE as well, consistent with congressional intent.”
Congress established PRAC as part of the CARES Act to conduct and support government-wide oversight efforts associated with the emergency response to the Coronavirus pandemic, including through the use of a data analytics platform, according to the senators.
“Absent immediate action, CIGIE and PRAC will need to furlough staff and terminate important functions that help prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the government,” the senators had written last month. “Congress has already appropriated FY 2026 funds for CIGIE and PRAC, and both entities enjoy strong bipartisan support. Thus, any adverse consequences will be solely due to OMB’s decision not to apportion available funds, rather than any lapse in appropriations.”