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H.R. 2181: Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025, aims to amend the existing laws regarding the removal of Inspectors General in the United States federal government. The primary change proposed in the bill is the establishment of a specific set of criteria, known as a for-cause removal standard, that must be met for an Inspector General to be removed from their position.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The bill introduces the following main provisions:

Removal Criteria: It specifies the grounds on which an Inspector General can be removed. These grounds include:

Documented permanent incapacity
Documented neglect of duty
Documented malfeasance
Documented conviction of a felony or conduct involving moral turpitude
Documented knowing violation of a law or regulation
Documented gross mismanagement
Documented gross waste of funds
Documented abuse of authority
Documented inefficiency

Documentation Requirement

The bill mandates that any removal of an Inspector General must be accompanied by documentation explaining the specific grounds for the removal. This is intended to ensure transparency and accountability in the process of removing these officials.

Implementation Changes

The bill amends existing sections of Title 5 of the United States Code, specifically Chapter 4, which governs the roles and responsibilities of Inspectors General.

Conclusion of Summary

In summary, the bill seeks to provide a clearer framework and stronger protections regarding the removal of Inspectors General, ensuring that such actions are grounded in documented and serious misconduct or incapacity.