Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today released the following statement on the removal of Gerald Walpin as Inspector General for the Corporation for National and Community Service:
“Last Thursday, I expressed serious concerns to the White House regarding the President’s initial explanation of his decision to remove the Inspector General of the Corporation for National and Community Service. That initial explanation was inadequate and did not comply with the law. The White House has now complied with the law by providing the Committee with the underlying reasons for the IG’s removal.
“A new law that I co-authored with Senators McCaskill and Lieberman included specific notification requirements whenever a President decides to remove an Inspector General. These reforms help insulate IGs from political pressure and provide greater independence for their critical oversight activities. We will continue to work with the White House to ensure that the President’s actions taken to remove the Corporation’s IG comport with the letter and spirit of these reforms.
“To further ensure that this removal was warranted, the Committee has asked the White House to brief the staff in more detail. The Committee has also contacted the Corporation to confirm its position on the White House’s allegations.”