Bill · H.R. 2181· House(119-HR-2181)
Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/18/2025
- Last activity
- 9/8/2025 — ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Bell asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 2181, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
- Sponsored by
- Gerald Connolly
- Cosponsors
- - 32 - 0
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Protect Our Watchdogs Act of 2025," seeks to amend title 5 of the United States Code. The primary goal is to establish a "for cause" removal standard for Inspectors General. Under this act, the President would be restricted in how they can remove these officials. The bill outlines specific, documented grounds that must be met for a removal to occur. These grounds include things like incapacity, neglect of duty, or malfeasance.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
Establishing for-cause removal enhances the independence and transparency of agency oversight.
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill increases federal oversight by limiting presidential authority over independent watchdogs.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+5
By protecting Inspectors General, the bill enhances oversight of government spending and prevents waste.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Accountability for Leadership: By establishing specific grounds for removal, the bill limits the President's ability to remove Inspectors General without documented evidence of misconduct or inefficiency (Section 2, amending section 403(b) and section 415(e)(2)).
-
Protection of Oversight Functions: The bill provides a list of specific requirements that must be documented for a removal to be valid, such as gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, or abuse of authority (Section 2, amending section 403(b) and section 415(e)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+7Increases Federal Power+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+5
- 9/8/2025
- ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Bell asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 2181, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
- 5/1/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/7/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/27/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 3/21/2025
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- 3/18/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 20 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Shontel BrownDemocrat · Ohio
Wesley BellDemocrat · Missouri
Joaquin CastroDemocrat · Texas
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Ro KhannaDemocrat · California
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
Dave MinDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Ayanna PressleyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Suhas SubramanyamDemocrat · Virginia
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Norma TorresDemocrat · California
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Nikema WilliamsDemocrat · Georgia
Debbie Wasserman SchultzDemocrat · Florida