To ensure that U.S. international development programs are managed with integrity and accountability, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) on Oct. 21 introduced a bipartisan bill that would authorize law enforcement authority to the Office of Inspector General of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
“As the agency tasked with making America a stronger and more competitive leader on the global stage, it is imperative that the DFC be given law enforcement authority in order to properly provide oversight of their programs,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “This bipartisan legislation will allow the DFC to continue its global efforts while reducing unnecessary misuse of resources.”
Rep. Fitzpatrick signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Enhancing Development Finance Corporation Oversight Act of 2022, H.R. 9206, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX).
If enacted, H.R. 9206 would “help eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in foreign aid programs and allow the U.S. to set a stronger example of good governance,” said Rep. Castro. “I thank Rep. Fitzpatrick for his partnership on this bill and encourage the Senate to retain this bipartisan reform in the final fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.”
Congress created the DFC in 2018 and established its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) through the Better Utilization of Investment Leading to Development Act, according to information provided by Rep. Fitzpatrick’s staff.
Law enforcement authorities for inspectors general are granted separately through the Inspector General Act of 1978, and since the DFC OIG became operational in 2020, the U.S. Agency for International Development OIG has provided oversight for DFC programs, the information says.
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicated that it has no objections to providing law enforcement authority to the DFC OIG but has not moved to grant such authority, according to the information, which notes that Rep. Castro in July secured an amendment in the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to add the DFC OIG to the list of federal agency inspectors general with law enforcement authority granted in statute.
H.R. 9206 emphasizes the need for the U.S. Senate to retain the House-passed language in the FY 2023 NDAA conference, according to the lawmakers.