Bill Overview
Title: Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act of 2021
Description: Inspector General of 2021 This bill addresses issues regarding inspectors general (IGs). For example, if the President fails to make a formal nomination for a vacant IG position within a certain timeline, the bill requires the President to communicate to Congress the reasons for such a failure and a target date for the nomination.
Sponsors: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
Target Audience
Population: People who rely on the effective oversight of U.S. federal agencies
Estimated Size: 334500000
- The bill affects the operations of the Inspector Generals, who are responsible for oversight in federal agencies.
- A key aspect is to ensure vacancies in IG positions are timely filled, indirectly affecting the agencies overseen by these IGs.
- The effectiveness and integrity of the federal agencies' operations can have a cascading effect on the public services they provide.
- The public relies on federal agencies for various services, which means the institutions' oversight affects everyone in the country.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to enhance the functioning of federal agencies through improved oversight, which implicitly affects all citizens reliant on public services from these agencies.
- Given the U.S. population of around 334 million, everyone indirectly benefits from effective oversight, but the direct impact varies greatly depending on individual interactions with federal agencies.
- Those with jobs in federal agencies, or those who have experienced inefficiencies in services, might see a noticeable difference, whereas the average citizen might not feel a direct impact.
- Due to budget limits, the policy's primary focus will be to address critical areas prone to oversight failures. Thus, people in those areas might reflect higher Cantril well-being changes.
- Efficient nomination processes for IG positions tend to affect agency accountability, and people living in regions with historically delayed or ineffective oversight might view this policy more favorably.
Simulated Interviews
Federal oversight analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is essential for maintaining effective oversight.
- Timely IG appointments prevent lapses in accountability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Healthcare administrator (California)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved oversight improves healthcare funding efficiency.
- This policy seems to address overdue issues with IG appointments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Legal advisor for a nonprofit (New York)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More independence for IGs is crucial.
- Helps in advocating for transparency in government.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Young entrepreneur (Texas)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy might streamline oversight, reducing bureaucratic delays.
- Indirectly benefits small businesses through better agency performance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired veteran (Ohio)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hopes the policy improves the VA's accountability.
- Wants transparency in federal operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Public school teacher (Florida)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhanced IG roles might mean better allocation of educational resources.
- Not directly perceived but supports transparency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Farmer (Montana)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy seems distant but ensures federal fairness.
- Suspicious of federal inefficiencies that this might reduce.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired nurse (Maine)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Believes in strengthening IG positions to prevent Medicare fraud.
- Hopes IG empowerment leads to better service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Bank manager (Illinois)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supports robust oversight to ensure fair financial practices.
- Sees policy as a means for better accountability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Software engineer (New Jersey)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Believes any improvement in government efficiency is positive.
- Finds the topic somewhat esoteric, with indirect benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5100000 (Low: $3100000, High: $7100000)
Year 3: $5200000 (Low: $3200000, High: $7200000)
Year 5: $5400000 (Low: $3400000, High: $7400000)
Year 10: $6000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $8000000)
Year 100: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $14000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill aims to ensure IG positions are filled promptly, essential for effective oversight.
- Timely appointment of IGs can enhance transparency and accountability within federal agencies.
- Administrative costs may increase initially due to new processes and reporting requirements.
- Potential long-term savings from reduced waste and increased efficiency within federal agencies should be considered.