Sen. Harry Reid Blocks Federal General Inspector Transparency Bill S.579

Our old friend in the Senate Harry Reid is still at it even though his status as Majority Leader was voted down to Minority Leader in 2014.

He is famous for blocking votes on bills that would show non-partisan legislation.

Now he is doing this from his current position.

One bill in particular (Senate Bill S.579) is his latest target.

The bill seems to solidify that Inspectors General should have access to all records that IGs would need to conduct inspections and audits.

Seems there is already some language that gives IGs power, but it looks like since 2010, many Democrat bureaucrats have been denying access to records.

This is most likely because of Obama's general attitude against Republicans in general and because deep investigations and audits could easily expose Democrat foul play.

Ol' Harry will be gone next January because he will not seek re-election.

So he will go out fighting for the cause.

At least he gets an award from Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), who named Reid as “Porker of the Month”.


Sen. Harry Reid Blocks Federal General Inspector Transparency Bill S.579

Senator Harry Reid (D), the US Senate minority leader, has been blocking a bill, S.579, to allow Federal Inspector Generals to access all records and employees of Federal Agencies in IG inspections and audits. This is the same Senator involved in bad land deals in Nevada and who blocked many Senate bills from being voted on.

Due to Reid’s efforts to block S.579, the watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), named Reid as “Porker of the Month”.

As a former Internal Audit manager in Fortune 500 firms, and an anti-corruption manager in Iraq, I fully believe that Inspector Generals should have full independence and have full access to all records and employees of the agency under their jurisdiction. Reid’s actions are a flagrant disregard for proper transparency needed over government activities.

Harry is one of those "Get Even" kind of guys

a reply to: xuenchen

I hope he gets hurt on his home "exercise equipment" again, this guy Sucks

a reply to: xuenchen

Senator Harry Reid (D), the US Senate minority leader, has been blocking a bill, S.579, to allow Federal Inspector Generals to access all records and employees of Federal Agencies in IG inspections and audits. This is the same Senator involved in bad land deals in Nevada and who blocked many Senate bills from being voted on.

How does 'one guy' go about 'blocking' all these bills?

a reply to: FamCore

Hopefully he gets hit by a bus.

Hell, hopefully a meteor lands on a joint session. That would make my whole week.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: xuenchen

Senator Harry Reid (D), the US Senate minority leader, has been blocking a bill, S.579, to allow Federal Inspector Generals to access all records and employees of Federal Agencies in IG inspections and audits. This is the same Senator involved in bad land deals in Nevada and who blocked many Senate bills from being voted on.

How does 'one guy' go about 'blocking' all these bills?

It might start here.....

Senate Hold

In the United States Senate, a hold is a parliamentary procedure permitted by the Standing Rules of the United States Senate which allows one or more Senators to prevent a motion from reaching a vote on the Senate floor.

If the Senator provides notice privately to his or her party leadership of their intent (and the party leadership agreed), then the hold is known as a secret or anonymous hold. If the Senator actually objects on the Senate floor or the hold is publicly revealed, then the hold is more generally known as a Senatorial hold.

a reply to: xuenchen

Thanks.

In the United States Senate, a hold is a parliamentary procedure permitted by the Standing Rules of the United States Senate which allows one or more Senators to prevent a motion from reaching a vote on the Senate floor.

That used to be the presidents job, to veto bills once voted on. When did our three way system of checks and balances add a fourth branch?

......... Reid’s actions are a flagrant disregard for proper transparency needed over government activities...........

Now that's an understatement..........

originally posted by: intrptr
When did our three way system of checks and balances add a fourth branch?

1913

originally posted by: VictorVonDoom

originally posted by: intrptr
When did our three way system of checks and balances add a fourth branch?

1913

Is that the same year they formed the "Federal Reserve"?

a reply to: intrptr

The year the Federal Reserve Act was passed. It was probably formed before that in anticipation.

a reply to: VictorVonDoom

Yah, they couldn't wait to take back the power of the people to themselves, the floggers.

Aware…

a reply to: xuenchen

What else was in the Bill?

originally posted by: TownCryer
a reply to: xuenchen

What else was in the Bill?

Who knows.

S.579

According to this editorial Reid wants to make sure that the expanded power of the IG is not misused:

A Reid spokeswoman explained that the senator is concerned about potential abuse of expanding the IGs’ power to compel witnesses (including former employees, contractors, subcontractors and others) to testify about matters under investigation. The Washington Post recognized in 2010 that expanded IG powers were controversial.

Sen. Reid’s concerns are valid, especially considering that employees of the federal government subject to investigation may have to hire their own counsel at their own expense. That’s why it’s important to build safeguards into the law, while also ensuring the legitimate goal of the legislation isn’t thwarted.

For his part, Sen. Grassley says he’s taken steps in that direction. When it comes to issuing subpoenas to former government employees, the summons must be approved by a panel of three other IGs, and then is referred to the attorney general. The Defense Department’s IG office has developed its own rules designed to prevent abuse, and other IGs may also do the same.

It’s important that IGs have the power to compel former government employees to testify about wrongdoing, if only to prevent a person accused of misconduct from resigning or retiring to avoid accountability, a frequent practice in government.

So maybe his actions are not as nefarious as they seem. Other than that, from looking at the actual legislation, it makes perfectly good sense.

-dex

a reply to: DexterRiley

They may not be nefarious, or it may be a convenient excuse. For now I will be open minded on the matter.

a reply to: xuenchen

Interestingly enough, the IG appointed to investigate the FBI agents hiding shots and evidence in the LaVoy Finicum killing has been very vocal against these restrictions on the IG... I really hope push comes to shove.

This could get interesting!