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Statement by the President on H.R. 928, the "Inspector General Reform Act
of 2008"
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary October 14, 2008

Statement by the President on H.R. 928, the "Inspector General Reform Act
of 2008"

ÿÿWhite House News


Today I have signed into law H.R. 928, the "Inspector General Reform Act of
2008." The Act amends various authorities related to Federal Inspectors
General.

Section 6 of the bill gives Inspectors General the right to obtain legal
advice from lawyers working for an Inspector General. It is important that
Inspectors General have timely and accurate legal advice. It is also
important that agencies have structures through which to reach a single,
final authoritative determination for the agency of what the law is. This
determination is subject to the authority of the Attorney General with
respect to legal questions within, and the President's authority to
supervise, the executive branch and, of course, the courts in specific
cases or controversies. To this end, the "rule of construction" in section
6 ensures that, within each agency, the determinations of the law remain
ultimately the responsibility of the chief legal officer and the head of
the agency.

Section 8 of the bill includes provisions that purport to direct or
regulate the content of the President's budget submissions, including
provisions that purport to direct the President to include the comments of
Inspectors General with respect to those submissions. The President's
budget submissions are recommendations for enactment of legislation
appropriating funds. The executive branch shall construe section 8 of the
bill in a manner consistent with the President's constitutional authority
to recommend for congressional consideration such measures as the President
shall judge necessary and expedient.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

October 14, 2008.

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