Grassley Welcomes Permanent Smithsonian Inspector General

GRASSLEY WELCOMES PERMANENT SMITHSONIAN INSPECTOR GENERAL

Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, today made the following comment on the Smithsonian Institution's naming of a permanent inspector general. Grassley urged the appointment of a permanent, independent inspector general last June, when the then-inspector general left.

"I'm glad the Smithsonian is naming a permanent inspector general, a point I raised months ago. The Smithsonian says it's the world's largest museum complex and research organization. It's a billion-dollar-a-year operation. Tax dollars and taxpayer-subsidized charitable donations make up the lion's share of that budget. And the Smithsonian appeals to Americans' sense of history and patriotism as the caretaker of national treasures. It needs a permanent, independent inspector general to help maintain the public's trust. The Smithsonian hasn't had a permanent inspector general since last June. Inspectors general are watchdogs for the public. The Smithsonian treasures and treasury have gone too long without one."

http://grassley.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=5291&Month=3&Year=2007