Independent Acting IGs Act of 2025

This bill changes how “acting” Inspectors General (IGs) are chosen when a Senate‑confirmed IG job is empty. First, the IG’s first assistant steps in as the acting IG. If that person is vacant, unavailable, or declines, a federal appeals court judge chosen at random will appoint an acting IG from candidates recommended by a small committee of three IGs. The judge is from the circuit where that IG office is based and has the sole authority to make the temporary appointment until the job is filled permanently. The bill sets clear 14‑day deadlines: 14 days to form the committee, 14 days for the committee to send at least two names, and 14 days for the judge to pick someone. These rules apply even if other general vacancy laws would normally say something different.

Key points

• Who is affected: Federal watchdog offices (Inspectors General), agencies with IG vacancies, and federal appeals court judges involved in appointments.
• What changes: The first assistant serves as acting IG; if not available, a judge appoints an acting IG from candidates recommended by three IGs; strict 14‑day timelines at each step; the judge has sole appointment authority during the vacancy.
• When: Each step must happen within 14 days of the last step; a technical fix in related law takes effect before the main changes in this bill.