Judiciary Democrats launch watchdog website amid withheld funding from inspector general group

The lawmakers are maintaining hotline information for over 20 OIGs, as watchdogs scramble to set up temporary websites after the White House withheld funding from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have launched a centralized online repository of resources for whistleblowers as the websites of many government watchdogs remain dark because of the White House budget office withholding funding from a central inspector general group. 

Although the withholding of funding coincides with an ongoing shutdown, it is unrelated — the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, or CIGIE, is supported by a no-year revolving fund, rather than annual appropriations. 

The Office of Management and Budget chose not to apportion the funding to the council after calling inspectors general “corrupt” and “partisan” two weeks ago. Lawmakers, former watchdog officials and others have criticized the decision.

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